"Is that a catapult?" - Conspiracy theory emerges as internet reacts to alleged footage of how the Hollywood Hills fire started

A fast-spreading wildfire dubbed the Sunset Fire, broke out in the Hollywood Hills region of Los Angeles, California, near the iconic Hollywood Sign, on January 8, approximately around 5:30 p.m.

The blaze quickly consumed over 10 acres prompting the city officials to issue a Mandatory Evacuation Order between Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east, and Hollywood Blvd to the south, as per Times Now report on January 9.

In the wake of the incident, a short video has garnered traction online which reportedly showed the moment the wildfire started, seemingly captured by the Mount Lee camera above the Hollywood Sign. The marks, “UC San Diego” and “Alert California” are visible on the clip.

While the video is unclear, speculation has arisen on social media regarding the nature of the wildfire, with some users suggesting that it may have been deliberately set. These theories include claims that individuals may have thrown an already burning object toward the fire.

In this regard, X user @Itchykami replied under @K_LetsTalk’s post with the aforementioned video and the caption, “Can someone please review and analyze this Mount Lee North camera footage above the Hollywood Sign in California? Is it just me, or does it look like there is something on fire being thrown? @elonmusk.”

“Is that a catapult? Also, what terrible video,” @Itchykami wrote in the comments.

Many people joined the conversation and engaged in similar conspiracy theories on the platform.

“It absolutely looks like something is being shot out, some type of fire force,” one person wrote.

“I’m confused as to why a majority of cameras started having blocked out areas as of this morning? Most recently the cams in Hollywood Hills,” another person wrote.

“Looks like a red ‘light’ is in the mid-right part of the screen, goes onto the ‘fire area’ and then goes back to mid-right of the screen…” wrote another person.

Others continued to weigh in.

“Firework?” a netizen asked.

“Drone launch,” another netizen wrote.

Meanwhile, some tried to refute the conspiracy theories.

“Stop spreading misinformation, in this clip here those lights are LAFD’s helicopters taking off from getting water, plus this isn’t even pointing at the Fire,” another individual wrote.

“There is a constant presence of firefighters. If u watch the lights on the trucks in the woods u can see where yes it looks like fire thrown but it's the trucks lights. Nothing was thrown!” wrote another netizen.

Notably, no official or verifiable source has confirmed that the cause of the Hollywood Hills wildfire had any foul play involved in it.

---

More about the Hollywood Hills fire

On Wednesday evening, a fast-moving bushfire began in the Hollywood Hills area of LA which eventually scorched more than 10 acres of land, forcing an emergency evacuation notice.

People in the Hollywood Hills, alongside Runyon Canyon Road, were asked to find a safe place away from the blaze. It spread upward as well as south toward the densely populated region called Franklin Avenue, as per Times Now.

Meanwhile, en.as.com reported that the Santa Ana winds that were moving at a speed of 20 miles per hour, acted as a catalyst in spreading the fire. The outlet also stated that the winds were expected to continue through Friday, further increasing the threat of other fires breaking out around the Hollywood Hills area.

By Wednesday night, Los Angeles County was already witnessing a number of bushfires that had destroyed tens of thousands of acres and public properties. At the time of writing, at least six fires were active, including the Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Woodley Fire, Lidia Fire, and Palisades Fire – the last of which has burned down more than 15,000 acres of land since it started on Tuesday.

They have forced hundreds and thousands of natives to evacuate their homes. As per Times Now, these blazes had zero containment.

---

Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California has declared a state of emergency following the multiple wildfires. President Joe Biden approved a federal emergency declaration for the state releasing necessary funds and other resources to help fight the blazes.

"We are prepared to do everything and anything, as long as it takes, to contain these fires and help reconstruct and make sure we get back to normal," Biden issued the statement at a Santa Monica fire station.

The POTUS also canceled his trip to Italy due to the California bushfires. LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley held a press conference on Wednesday informing how thousands of firefighters were on ground zero trying to combat the fire.