The Conspiracy Behind The Maui Fire?

Conspiracy theorists have been spreading false claims about the Maui wildfires, which killed at least 114 people earlier this month, as part of a strategic effort to weed out less wealthy residents and make room for multi-million dollar developments. One leading theory falsely suggested that the fires were caused by giant lasers. Michael Clark, a wildland firefighter from Oahu, made a post of his findings, claiming that the August 2023 wildfires were caused by a “direct energy weapon”. Official sources blame extreme weather conditions, but others suggest that the cause or causes of the fires are still unknown. Far-right conspiracy theorists seized on the same theory in connection with Maui’s fire, falsely claiming the U.S. government had used a targeted “energy weapon” to start the fire.

As authorities continue to probe what sparked the wildfires in Maui, social media users are suggesting government officials have long been planning to raze the island in order. Some evidence points to downed power lines, and the conditions were ripe for fire, as large amounts of invasive vegetation were preparing for the wildfires. As Maui grapples with one of the deadliest wildfires in recent U.S. history, it is also dealing with social media-fueled conspiracy theories. False claims about the deadly wildfires in Hawaii, including that shadowy forces orchestrated the disaster with a laser beam, have gained traction online. Misinformation and conspiracy theories have spread online, underscoring the shortcomings of social media firms’ enforcement policies following disasters.