SpaceX has stepped up to aid the communities affected by the catastrophic wildfires hitting Los Angeles by donating Starlink terminals. The blazes, fueled by a powerful windstorm, have already claimed five lives, displaced over 130,000 residents, and destroyed nearly 2,000 structures, including homes and schools.
Elon Musk announced the donation on X, saying that the company would provide free Starlink terminals to support areas hit hardest by the fires. These terminals are being deployed as a crucial communication tool in regions where traditional networks have failed.
Local news teams have highlighted the importance of this technology, with one reporter stating that Starlink is the sole reason live coverage from remote fire-stricken areas remains possible.
SpaceX will provide free Starlink terminals to affected areas in LA tomorrow morning https://t.co/hm4k3hAmq2
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2025
This is not the first time SpaceX has donated its Starlink technology during emergencies. In 2024, the company extended its satellite internet services to hurricane-stricken areas in the southeastern United States, offering free access to help communities recover.
The company has also previously donated Starlink terminals in Kentucky following a tornado, and also Maui after the Hawaiian island suffered a similarly devastating fire.
