Elon Musk announced that SpaceX will provide free Starlink terminals to areas in Los Angeles affected by wildfires. This decision comes after TV crews were seen using Starlink to broadcast live coverage of the fires in California. Musk shared this news on X, saying the terminals would be available starting tomorrow morning.

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and other companies, has used his wealth and business portfolio to expand his influence beyond the tech world. Starlink, one of his ventures, offers services like streaming, shopping, and gaming.

Meanwhile, wildfires around Los Angeles have killed at least five people, with firefighters struggling to control multiple fast-spreading blazes, including one in Hollywood. The fires have destroyed up to 1,500 buildings, forcing over 100,000 people to evacuate.

Hurricane-force winds in California have caused fireballs to rapidly leap from one house to another, destroying large areas of the state’s most desirable real estate. The fires, driven by intense winds, have spread uncontrollably, engulfing homes and properties at an alarming rate.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone spoke to AFP, explaining that his firefighting crews were overwhelmed by the speed and vast scale of the fires, making it difficult for them to keep up with the situation. The destruction is widespread, and the emergency response teams are battling the fierce flames while trying to protect lives and property.

In the latest updates on Wednesday morning, the wildfire broke out in the Hollywood Hills, a well-known area in Los Angeles, fear spread as the flames threatened nearby neighbourhoods. Emergency crews were already engaged in battling other wildfires across Southern California, forcing many residents to evacuate their homes.

While wildfires are common in the region, seeing one come so close to the city left many residents scared and worried. News reports showed how the flames were getting dangerously close to neighbourhoods, adding to the fear and uncertainty for people living there.