In 64AD, a fire broke out in the capital city of the world's richest, most powerful civilisation: Rome. By the end, more than 70% of Rome had been destroyed.¹

Almost immediately, everyone started blaming everyone else. Some alleged that looters had deliberately spread the flame by throwing torches and blocking efforts to put it out.

Many claimed that the emperorRuler of an empire. NeroEmperor from 54 AD to 68 AD. had deliberately started the fire so he could build a new palace on the ruins.

Nero himself decided to scapegoatA person who is made to take the blame for the wrongdoings of others. The term originates from a ceremony during the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur, in which the sins of the people were symbolically placed upon a goat. The goat was then sent into the wilderness. members of a relatively new but increasingly popular offshoot of Judaism: Christians.

In 2025, the world's richest, most powerful civilisation is stricken by fire. So how much has changed?

The Los Angeles fires are already the costliest disaster the US has ever faced, burning through more than 40,000 acres of land. Almost 200,000 people have been forced to flee their homes and 24 have perished.²

After a long period of droughtA time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry. , high winds brought flaming embers that quickly set ablaze the dry vegetationThe plants and trees in an area. around the city.

And just as in Rome, the blame game has already begun. Donald TrumpAn American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025. claims the government of CaliforniaA large state on the west coast of the USA. It is the country's most populous state, with more than 37 million people. First settled by Native Americans as much as 13,000 years ago, the area was subsequently conquered by Spain, then was absorbed into Mexico, which was forced to hand it over to the USA in 1848. is responsible.

He accused California governorIn the USA, governors are elected leaders of the 50 states. Gavin NewsomAn American politician, and the governor of California. He belongs to the Democratic party. of refusing to sign a non-existent "water restoration declaration" to allow more water to be employed against the fire, and of using up water reserves protecting an endangered fish species.³

However, Newsom has also faced criticism from his own citizens, who point out that his 2024-5 state budget cut $101m (£83m) of funding for wildfire and forest resilience.⁴

Both men know they are really fighting a battle to write history. Each side wants to ensure the other pays the political price for the fires.

Nero is still often blamed for the fire of Rome, almost 2,000 years later. These two men only need to create a narrative that will last for three.

But is the main victim the truth?

Yes: Mis- and disinformationFalse information intended to mislead, including propaganda, which all too often encourages the spread of misinformation, fake news spread by mistake. It is contrasted with misinformation, which may be spread accidentally. are spreading even faster than the fires. Each side is creatively altering the record to defend themselves or indict their opponents. This blaze is now a partisanBiased. In military terms, a partisan is a guerrilla fighter. issue.

No: Any natural disaster is followed by a blame game as everyone involved tries to keep their hands clean. There is nothing different about this, except for the scale of the catastrophe.

Or... While what is happening is not out of the ordinary, it shows how even the most devastating human costs can be turned into a spectacle by the outrage mill of US media.

emperor - Ruler of an empire.

Nero - Emperor from 54 AD to 68 AD.

Scapegoat - A person who is made to take the blame for the wrongdoings of others. The term originates from a ceremony during the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur, in which the sins of the people were symbolically placed upon a goat. The goat was then sent into the wilderness.

Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.

Vegetation - The plants and trees in an area.

Donald Trump - An American television personality who became US president from 2016 to 2020, and will become president again in January 2025.

California - A large state on the west coast of the USA. It is the country's most populous state, with more than 37 million people. First settled by Native Americans as much as 13,000 years ago, the area was subsequently conquered by Spain, then was absorbed into Mexico, which was forced to hand it over to the USA in 1848.

Governor - In the USA, governors are elected leaders of the 50 states.

Gavin Newsom - An American politician, and the governor of California. He belongs to the Democratic party.

Disinformation - False information intended to mislead, including propaganda, which all too often encourages the spread of misinformation, fake news spread by mistake. It is contrasted with misinformation, which may be spread accidentally.

Partisan - Biased. In military terms, a partisan is a guerrilla fighter.