On January 8, massive fires erupted in Los Angeles, resulting in at least five fatalities, the destruction of hundreds of buildings, and the evacuation of over 130,000 residents.
American entrepreneur John LeFevre posted on X, suggesting California fires weren’t being controlled because surplus fire equipment was sent to Ukraine.
The post sparked outrage, with some users calling aid to Ukraine “money laundering” and criticizing the use of taxpayers’ money. Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr., both shared the post.
Oh look of course The LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine https://t.co/1XVA15f6oI
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 8, 2025
published an article debunking the spread disinformation.
This claim was debunked by StopFake . Here’s a brief recap.
The fires are difficult to extinguish due to several natural factors, including extreme drought and the seasonal Santa Ana winds, with speeds ranging from 95 to 160 kilometers per hour, that fan the fires. Additionally, many of the blazes are located in rugged, hard-to-reach areas, complicating firefighters' efforts to access and contain them.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony Marrone admitted the lack of resources at a press conference, but particularly firefighters.
“No, LA County and all 29 fire departments in our county are not prepared for this kind of widespread disaster. There are not enough firefighters in LA County to address four separate fires of this magnitude.”
Heartbreaking scenes of devastation caused by wildfires in California. We wish for the safety of all affected communities and residents, as well as the success of firefighters and first responders who are bravely fighting the deadly blazes. We are standing with our American…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 9, 2025
The Los Angeles Fire Department did transfer some equipment to Ukraine, but this occurred in March 2022—nearly three years ago. It's unclear how this one-time donation is relevant to the ongoing firefighting efforts in California in early 2025.
According to StopFake, the equipment sent to Ukraine over three years ago would have been of no use in combating a fire of this scale. The donated items no longer suitable for use in the US due to updates, replacements with modern models, or the expiration of their ten-year service life.
While retired for US use, these items remain effective for international aid in crisis situations. The aid package included helmets, gloves, boots, hoses, nozzles, and medical supplies such as tourniquets, bandages, and hygiene products—not the heavy machinery crucial for firefighting efforts in Los Angeles today. Additionally, this aid was gathered in just three days and was unlikely to have been significant in scale.
On January 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended his heartfelt support to the American people affected by the devastating fires.
