LAFD forced to explain why they are fighting fires with ‘women’s handbags’ as conspiracies rage online

As firefighters in Los Angeles continue to battle deadly wildfires, authorities have been forced to confront wild conspiracies — including the claim that firefighters are using “ladies’ handbags” to douse the flames.

Disgraced Sandy Hook observer Alex Jones made the claim Thursday, sharing a video of firefighters carrying bags filled with water. He claimed the department had to use the “women’s handbags” because it was sending supplies to war-torn Ukraine.

But L.A. Fire Department Chief Erik Scott, a public information officer, has since done so explained to the Wall Street Journal that the so-called handbags were actually canvas bags that fire departments regularly use to extinguish small fires because they are easier and faster than connecting hoses.

Other rumors that have surfaced online include an AI-generated image of the Hollywood sign on fire, although eagle-eyed users noticed that the sign added an extra ‘L’ to the city’s name.

As rumors spread, Scott was forced to go to help put out the fires. flames, which Scott said were “unfounded.”

“We don’t want all that noise to get to the public,” Scott said. “We want to give them a signal that will help them evacuate and possibly save lives.”

On Thursday, Alex Jones claimed firefighters had to use “women’s handbags” to fight the fires as they sent supplies to war-torn Ukraine.

But Scott also suggested he didn’t want to spend all his time discussing baseless theories.

“We are trying to combat the most devastating natural disaster in the history of Los Angeles,” he told the Journal.

“It takes people and time to track down and debunk rumors on social media and it keeps us from doing more important things,” he lamented as the three wildfires destroyed an estimated 40,300 hectares of land and 12,300 homes and other buildings.

The fires also forced 180,000 people to evacuate and caused at least $135 billion in damage, which would exceed the damage of any hurricane to hit the United States except Katrina in 2005. according to the BBC.

Part of the problem is that wildfires tend to cause confusion, whether it’s someone exaggerating the size of a fire at night, when it’s harder to assess, or people sharing inaccurate evacuation orders, John said. Miller, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.

He said much of the confusion comes from people listening to police scanners at home and hearing only small snippets.

“If you listen to the radio at home, you will take it as gospel,” Miller explained.

The rumors come as firefighters continue to battle the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County

The three wildfires destroyed an estimated 40,300 hectares of land and 12,300 homes and other structures

Some influential people are also spreading the rumors, including newly elected President Donald Trump, who claimed on Truth Social that California Governor Gavin Newsom refused to sign a “water restoration declaration” that would have brought more water to the LA area.

“Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water recovery declaration presented to him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water from excess rain and snowmelt from the north to flow daily to many parts of California, including areas currently in be on fire. in an almost apocalyptic way.’

“He wanted to protect a basically worthless fish called a smelt by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California,” the statement continued.

‘Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor keep nice, clean, fresh water flowing to CALIFORNIA! He is to blame for this. Moreover, there is no water for fire hydrants and no fire-fighting aircraft. A real disaster!’

It was then shared by X CEO Elon Musk with his 212 million followers.

Newsom was subsequently forced to refute the allegations, with a spokesperson saying, “There is no such thing as the water restoration explanation – that is pure fiction.

“The governor is focused on keeping people safe, not playing politics, and ensuring firefighters have all the resources they need.”

Wildfires tend to lead to confusion, whether it’s someone exaggerating the size of a fire at night, when it’s harder to assess, or people sharing inaccurate evacuation orders, according to U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller .

Fire roars across the hills behind Pacific Palisades Saturday morning

When Happy Days star Henry Winkler claimed on X that the fires were started by an arsonist, the LA Fire Department had to explain that it was still unclear how the fires broke out.

Although police have taken a man into custody on possible arson charges near where a fire broke out Thursday, officials said they had no probable cause to arrest him on arson charges, instead arresting him on a violation of probation.

“We have to deal with this misinformation,” Newsom said Friday during a remote meeting with President Joe Biden. according to Newsweek.

“There were hurricane winds of mis- and disinformation, lies,” he claimed.

‘People want to divide this country and we will have to tackle that.

“And it breaks my heart, as people are suffering and struggling, we’re also dealing with those hurricane forces.”