Elon Musk donates Cybertrucks for Wi-Fi and power as wildfires ravage LA

As wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles County, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is stepping in to support recovery efforts with a donation of Cybertrucks. Musk has outfitted the electric trucks with his company’s Starlink satellite internet service, allowing the vehicles to broadcast Wi-Fi to first responders in areas affected by the fires.

In addition to providing internet connectivity, the Cybertrucks are stocked with candy, fruit and water for emergency teams and displaced residents.

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Tesla confirmed that eight Cybertrucks are currently stationed near active wildfire zones. Three are in Altadena, two in Pasadena and another three near Malibu.

Musk took to X to apologize to customers waiting for their Cybertruck deliveries, explaining that some vehicles had been rerouted to serve as mobile base stations. These trucks are helping fuel Starlink satellite communications, while power outages persist in fire-stricken areas.

Apologies to those expecting Cybertruck deliveries in California over the next few days.

We need to use those trucks as mobile base stations to provide power to Starlink Internet terminals in areas of LA without connectivity.

A new truck will be delivered end of week.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2025

According to Tesla’s website, the Cybertrucks are designed to function similarly to generators, capable of powering a home for up to three days. While many have praised Musk’s efforts, the donation has also sparked controversy. Some critics accuse the billionaire of using the situation to promote his vehicle line.

Musk also reshared an AI-generated video on X, claiming that his donation is helping save thousands of lives in Los Angeles.

The ongoing wildfires have been intensified by strong winds, as firefighters work tirelessly to contain three major blazes. The Palisades and Eaton Fires are the largest, having claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. Dozens of acres remain scorched, though the Hurst Fire is nearly 100% contained.

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Musk has pledged to send more Cybertrucks to affected areas across the county, with a new one expected by the end of the week.