Commencing on 7 January 2024, wildfires have been plaguing Los Angeles for just under a week now. The death toll currently sits at 24, with authorities warning of further explosive fire growth and California Governor Gavin Newsom describing the fires as the “worst disaster in US history.” Some citizens have responded to the devastation by mobilising their community and providing crucial relief and resources to victims of the catastrophe. Others have taken to social media to spread outlandish conspiracy theories about how the fires were purposefully started to transform LA into a ‘smart city’ ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

As per usual, the primary proponents of this conspiracy theory are right-wing conservatives. And, while this conversation is trending on social media and deserves our attention, it’s crucial not to get too distracted and to continue centering the victims of this horrific tragedy. With that in mind, let’s unpack this story together.

A smart city is an urban development that uses technology and innovation to optimise the efficiency of services and create a sustainable environment that improves the quality of life of its inhabitants.

According to the European Commission, a smart city goes beyond the use of digital technologies for better resource use and less emissions. It means smarter urban transport networks, upgraded water supply and waste disposal facilities, and more efficient ways to light and heat buildings. This would also include a more interactive and responsive city administration and safer public spaces.

A good example of a smart city would be The Line in Saudi Arabia. This supposedly groundbreaking eco-city was first launched back in 2021, and by the time of completion (expected to be in 2030) promises to have no roads, cars, or emissions, run entirely on renewable energy, and preserve 95 per cent of the land for surrounding nature. However, it’s important to note that The Line also faces numerous criticisms and challenges. Unstable building designs, carbon footprint, privacy issues, and ecological concerns all jeopardise the project.

Smart cities have also been compared to 15-minute cities, however the two concepts differ slightly. A 15-minute city, while using technology as a tool, is more geared towards creating urban spaces wherein all daily necessities and services can be easily reached by a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or public transit ride from any point in the city.

In December 2020, officials released plans for SmartLA 2028—a concise smart city strategy which laid out a vision for the future of Los Angeles. Utilising advanced technology, residents would experience a better quality of life and (bonus points) the entire city would be ready to go by the time the 2028 Summer Olympics rolled around.

But now, with wildfires raging across LA, many have likely presumed that plans for SmartLA will need to be put on hold for the time being. Unless, of course, this was the plan all along… Here’s where the conspiracy theories come in.

Many netizens on X, formerly Twitter, have pointed out the coincidence of the fires causing so much devastation just as the city was in preparation to restructure for SmartLA 2028. Indeed, one user stated: “How does LA plan on turning their city into a ‘Smart City’ by 2028? They’d have to do something crazy like burn down entire neighborhoods in order for that to happen. Jeez that would be some wild Right Wing conspiracy sh*t for that to happen. That would never happen.”

How does LA plan in turning their city into a “Smart City” by 2028?
They’d have to do something crazy like burn down entire neighborhoods in order for that to happen.
Jeez that would be some wild Right Wing conspiracy shit for that to happen. That would never happen.#lafires pic.twitter.com/ocNvIdxoju

— MFalcon🔥🚒🧯 (@MFalcon1234) January 8, 2025

I’m sure it’s just a coincidence….but I can’t help but wonder why LA is burning now? Couldn’t have anything to do with the Los Angeles SMART CITY to be completed BEFORE THE 2028 Olympics that it’s hosting!

pic.twitter.com/zRYs54LvY1

— SomeRandomChick (@basedrandomchik) January 8, 2025

There is no such thing as coincidence.

Look up “Smart LA 2028” the plan to put a 5 minute city in this area.

How were they planning to convince everyone to sell their houses and build a smart city by 2028? pic.twitter.com/T3ooaZ0wcA

— Nick Koutrakos (@NickKoutrakos) January 9, 2025

I said it from the beginning. These fires are not natural. They were deliberate. They want LA to be a “Smart City” by 2028. These fires were set to level out the land to build the new city. Why else would insurance drop coverage 3 months before this happened? No water too. pic.twitter.com/6jde9Ro8Zb

— Mad Dabber (@MadFlavorDabber) January 10, 2025

Some users have also insinuated that the same situation took place with the Maui fires in 2023, and that it was the officials in Hawaii who manufactured those devastating wildfires to make way for their own 2030 construction agenda.

Remember what Hawaii Governor Josh Green said after the Maui fires? That they would “build back better” (6uild 6ack 6etter)

The fires were intentionally planned to allow them to progress their 2030 Agenda and it looks like LA fires are exactly that as well. (Smart LA2028) pic.twitter.com/ZQK0doAoTy

— JaneBond (backup) (@JaneB59275552) January 10, 2025

The SmartLA 2028 theory has been quickly gaining traction online, however, there have of course been other individuals calling this claim ludicrous:

Conspiracy theorists talking about Smart LA are killing me. Are you telling me a bunch of rich people decided to burn LA to the ground so they can make it a smart city by 2028? People have well and truly lost their minds.

— Kurtweety (@KurtLaduma) January 11, 2025

Once again, it’s crucial to remember exactly what matters in this situation. Thousands of people have already lost their homes and it’s likely thousands more will. Focusing on helping those individuals is 100 per cent more important than feeding into these dangerous and baseless rumours.