Hollywood icon Barbra Streisand took to social media on Thursday to blame the fierce winds fueling Los Angeles wildfires on climate change, demanding that the government take immediate action. “These horrible winds I think are the strongest we’ve ever experienced and a lot of that is due to climate change, which this coming government better address!” Streisand wrote on Bluesky, a left-leaning social platform.
Streisand’s remarks echoed those of other Hollywood figures. Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch blamed the wildfires on “climate deniers” and corporate greed, claiming that such attitudes have exacerbated the “climate crisis.” He urged critics of “wokeness” to reevaluate their stance, stating, “It’s time we wake up.”
While celebrities attribute the disaster to climate change, critics point to governance issues under California’s Democratic leadership. Failures in wildfire preparedness, such as neglecting water reservoirs and prioritizing diversity initiatives over emergency planning, have been cited as contributing factors. Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have faced backlash, particularly after Newsom thanked Bass for her “leadership in absentia” while she was on a trip to Africa during the crisis.
The Los Angeles wildfires, which began Tuesday morning, have spread rapidly due to strong winds, burning over 29,000 acres and destroying more than 5,000 structures. The Palisades, Eaton, and Kenneth fires remain entirely uncontained, while the Hurst Fire is 10% contained, and the Lidia Fire has reached 60% containment. Tragically, five fatalities have been reported, including 66-year-old Victor Shaw, who died defending his family home.
California’s wildfire season has become a recurring crisis. Critics argue that while climate change plays a role, policy decisions and infrastructure failures have worsened the situation. Calls for better water management, enhanced evacuation plans, and improved forest maintenance continue to grow as communities recover from the devastation.
