Conspiracy theories swirl around wildfires amid record season in Canada
wildfire season is devastating evidence of the effects of climate change, scientists say, but for some conspiracy theorists, the thousands of square kilometres of burnt ground isn’t enough to convince them.Instead, space lasers, arsonists and government plots to restrict people’s movement are some of the causes of the fires, according to fringe online circles. But despite being fringe, these theories are widely circulated and boosted by social media algorithms.People turn to conspiracy theories to help them make sense of disasters like the recent wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, in British Columbia or the Northwest Territories, said Eric Kennedy, associate professor at York University’s school of administrative studies.“Some of the conspiracy theories about wildfires create simple villains, or simple evil characters – ‘this is Bill Gates, this is the World Economic Forum, this is a particular evil actor,”’ said Kennedy, who studies decision-making in emergency contexts, particularly wildfires.“Sometimes the simple stories are very appealing.
Sometimes it’s about fitting into an existing world view and making things make sense within that paradigm.”Kawser Ahmed, political science adjunct professor at University of Winnipeg, said almost all conspiracy theories have a spark of truth but are distorted to attract attention or fuel outrage.Forest fires, he said, are spectacular events – like terrorist attacks – that draw attention before the full facts come to light, and in the ensuing uncertainty, conspiracy theories fill in the gaps in information. But such theories harm those who are fleeing the fires and those who are fighting the blazes, he noted.Cliff Chapman, BC Wildfire Service director of operations, said
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