Elon Musk to provide Wi-Fi to wildfire-stricken areas using Starlink, Cybertrucks

Move to delay this week's deliveries of Cybertrucks, Musk says

By Greg Wehner

January 13, 2025

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is planning to use Tesla Cybertrucks and Starlink technology to provide free internet to areas devastated by wildfires in California.

Musk, who is the CEO of both Tesla and Starlink, wrote in a post on X, another one of his companies, that Cybertruck deliveries would be delayed over the next few days.

"Apologies to those expecting Cybertruck deliveries in California over the next few days," he wrote. "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."

In another post, Musk said Cybertrucks outfitted with Starlink and free internet would be positioned in a grid pattern in areas that need the technology the most, throughout Greater Los Angeles and Malibu.

ELON MUSK ANNOUNCES SPACEX WILL PROVIDE FREE STARLINK TERMINALS IN LA AMID RAGING FIRES

Musk also said security personnel would be added to the Cybertrucks, along with snacks and beverages for people passing by.

Homes burn as powerful winds drive the Eaton Fire on Jan. 7, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (David McNew/Getty Images)

The move comes three days after Musk announced he would be providing free Starlink terminals to areas in Los Angeles.

He made the announcement when retweeting footage of a reporter crediting Starlink internet service with connectivity.

WATCH: Sawyer Merritt on X: "NEWS: TV crews are using SpaceX's @Starlink to broadcast their live fire coverage in LA. "The only reason you're able to see us right now is because of Starlink. There's absolutely no cell service at all in this whole area." https://t.co/7EXT0IQ5HG" / X

On Sunday morning, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman wrote in a post on X that putting out fires before they spread did not seem like a "serious technological challenge" to overcome with the help of companies like SpaceX, xAI and Anduril Industries, a defense company specializing in autonomous systems, unmanned aerial systems and counter-unmanned aerial systems started by Palmer Luckey.

Despite Musk’s efforts to help, one user wrote to him on X, "California hates you and Trump," which the SpaceX CEO acknowledged was true.

"That is true of some people in California, and the press will of course accuse me of grandstanding, but, if this helps save even one house or maybe even someone’s life, we should still do it," Musk responded.

But another user asked how he could donate his Cybertruck to help with the efforts.

"Ride around in your truck in the devastated areas with a Starlink terminal on the roof and open WiFi," Musk said.

Musk has claimed that wildfires in the Golden State could have been prevented but that regulations get in the way of taking steps to prevent the infernos.

"These fires are easily avoidable, but nonsense regulations in California prevent action being taken, so year after year homes burn down, and more people die," Musk wrote in a post on X.

"My friend just texted me that his house burned down again. His old house also burned down in an uncontrolled wildfire several years ago. California could easily stop these massive wildfires, but refuses to put in fire breaks for bogus environmental reasons," he said in a separate post.

WATCH: Elon Musk on X: "A friend in LA just took this video / X\

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