On social media, many viewers were shocked after Caitlyn Jenner shared a single photo as proof of California officials’ mistake amid the LA wildfire.
Caitlyn Jenner has sparked a heated debate about California’s wildfire crisis. The Olympian and media personality criticized the state’s land management practices, accusing officials of hypocrisy.
Jenner’s viral social media post included a photo comparing her well-maintained Malibu property to overgrown public lands.
Jenner points to poor land management fueling wildfires
In a series of posts, Jenner argued that California officials fail to maintain public lands, leaving them overgrown and vulnerable to wildfires.
She shared an aerial photo showing her property’s cleared grounds alongside overgrown state land.
‘My 13-acre property in Malibu backs up to CA state land (circled in red). Notice the difference between my grounds keeping and the states?’ She wrote on X.
‘No under brush or forest management by the state on their lands- providing a plethora of fuel for wildfires. No underbrush on my land.
‘The only reason my home survived the last round of fires was because of the ground clearance we are mandated to do.’ She added.
Jenner accused the forestry service of enforcing strict ground clearance rules on homeowners while neglecting their own properties. She labeled the unmaintained public lands as “a major liability” and called this discrepancy dangerous.
High taxes and harsh standards frustrate residents
Additionally, Jenner also criticized California’s high property taxes and strict fire prevention requirements.
She claimed these measures place an unfair burden on residents.
“The only reason my home survived past fires is because of the clearance we’re mandated to do,” she stated. “Meanwhile, the state doesn’t follow the same rules on their own lands. It’s hypocrisy.”
CALFire’s guidelines require homeowners to create 100 feet of defensible space. The first 30 feet must be completely free of flammable material. Some counties, like San Diego, impose even stricter rules.
Social media reaction
Jenner’s post quickly went viral, sparking debate on social media as many were stunned by the revelation in the photo she shared on X.
While many agreed with Jenner’s criticism, others argued that homeowners in fire-prone areas bear responsibility for fireproofing their properties.
Should taxpayers fund fire prevention for wealthy elites living in high-risk areas? one commenter questioned.
A second wrote: The trouble is if they took down every tree they might as well live in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile where nothing grows they need to stop building their houses with wood or make sure that the wood is fireproof thats were I would start.
Additionally, others noted that infrastructure like roads, water systems, and emergency services for these areas is also taxpayer-funded. They argued that choosing to live in such locations comes with inherent risks.
Jenner countered, stating, “Forest management is a basic service. Taxes already pay for this, and we must demand it from our leaders.”
California wildfires leave destruction and uncertainty
California’s wildfire crisis has caused significant destruction, claiming at least 25 lives and destroying over 12,000 structures.
Jenner’s Malibu home, valued at $3.5 million, remains safe. However, many others, including some of her celebrity neighbors, have not been as fortunate.
Firefighters battling the blazes face extreme conditions, including the rare phenomenon of fire tornadoes. Gusts up to 55 mph (88 kph) in mountain areas worsen the danger, according to meteorologists.
Meanwhile, more than 120,000 customers in the Los Angeles area were without power as fire weather persisted.