Henry Winkler’s Outburst on Wildfires Stirs Up Controversy: Was It Arson or a Conspiracy?
Henry Winkler, the beloved actor known for his role as the cool and charismatic Fonzie in Happy Days, found himself in hot water after posting a fiery message on social media about the devastating wildfires that were tearing through Los Angeles.
His post quickly went viral, stirring up intense reactions both in support and in criticism. What started as a concerned message soon snowballed into a heated debate over whether the fires were the result of arson—and if so, who was behind it.
The wildfires, which had been spreading across California’s largest city, were among the worst in recent memory. The fast-moving blazes, driven by strong winds, caused widespread destruction, and many residents, including Winkler, were left heartbroken by the devastation. It was in the midst of this crisis that Winkler shared his thoughts with the world.
On X (formerly Twitter), the 79-year-old actor expressed his anger and frustration over the fires. “There is an arsonist here in LA,” Winkler wrote. He followed it up with a stark and emotional message: “May you be beaten beyond recognition!!! The pain you have caused!!!”
The post, which was shared by Winkler with his 500,000 followers, quickly garnered millions of views. As of the last count, it had reached over 7.1 million views.
THERE IS an ARSONIST here in LA . May you be beaten you unrecognizable !!! The pain you have caused !!!
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) January 9, 2025
Fans of Winkler, many of whom had grown up watching him as the iconic “Fonz,” flooded the comments with support, agreeing with his words of anger and frustration. Some people shared their own suspicions, believing that the fires were intentionally set.
One commenter said, “I was wondering about this… because no one has said how it started.” Another person agreed, adding, “Probably multiple arsonists.” A third user said, “Agreed. I’ve always suspected this, and I have my own theories about who’s behind it. Some people are just envious of California.”
Others took the conversation even further, speculating that there could be an organized group of arsonists at work. One user asked, “Is this a single arsonist or an organized group? There are multiple fires breaking out… it’s entirely possible this is a coordinated effort.”
While Winkler’s post struck a chord with many, it also ignited a wave of criticism from others. “Henry, you used to be cool; now you’re just whining,” one person commented, taking a jab at the actor.
Another warned, “Here come the conspiracy theories.” A third individual, addressing Winkler’s known political views, wrote, “Nice to see you finally upset about something other than Trump.”
The Debate Escalates
Winkler’s explosive comments didn’t just fuel a flurry of online opinions—they also prompted officials to step in and clarify the situation. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) quickly issued a statement to TMZ, addressing the wildfires and the speculation surrounding them.
“There’s no way to determine at this moment exactly where or how the fires originated, but an investigation is ongoing,” the LAFD explained. They also clarified that the mention of arson was simply part of the standard protocol when investigating large-scale fires.
“Investigating any large fire is a routine part of our procedure,” they said, reassuring the public that they were actively looking into the causes.
David Acuna, the California Fire Chief, also weighed in on the matter during an interview with the BBC. “There is no conclusive evidence to suggest the fires were deliberately started,” he said, further dampening the growing suspicion that the fires were the result of malicious intent.
People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA. Saw this happen first hand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica. Called it in & fire dept & police responded. Stay safe and call in any activity ASAP. We don’t need more flames out here. pic.twitter.com/AZ4GLr6N3q
— Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D. (@hubermanlab) January 9, 2025
Despite this official statement, the theory that the fires were caused by arson didn’t die down. In fact, it gained even more traction, thanks in part to a troubling post by Stanford University neurobiology professor Andrew Huberman.
Huberman, who was among the many who had reacted to Winkler’s message, shared a chilling firsthand account of what he had witnessed. “People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA.
I saw this happen firsthand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica,” Huberman wrote in the comments of Winkler’s post. “I called it in, and the fire department and police responded. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. We don’t need more flames out here.”
Huberman’s post quickly went viral, attracting over 10 million views. Even tech mogul Elon Musk took notice, simply replying with “WOW.” The professor’s statement added fuel to the fire, making it clear that not everyone was ready to rule out the possibility of arson.
No Clear Answers Yet
As of now, authorities have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of the wildfires that have swept through Southern California. The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, which have been among the most devastating, have claimed at least 24 lives.
While investigations continue, the official cause of these deadly fires remains undetermined.
Though Winkler’s accusations were based on his personal frustration and the growing panic in Los Angeles, the online storm that followed has brought the issue of arson into the spotlight. As of now, there is no conclusive evidence to support the idea that the fires were intentionally set, but the conversation rages on.
What are your thoughts on Winkler’s suggestion that the fires might have been deliberately started? Do you think the theory holds any weight, or is it just a wild speculation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
