The terror group has previously suggested both wildland and commercial or residential arson as an attack tactic.
Source: ISIS Group Claims California Wildfires Were Retribution, Vows More Fires
One of the many media groups supporting ISIS operations online claimed that the deadly wildfires in northern and southern California are retribution for coalition bombings in Syria.
The image circulated online by Al-Ansar Media uses a photo of a burning building and misspells the state “kalifornia.”
“O america, This is the punishment of bombing Muslims in Syria,” states the text. “This is Allah’s punishment for you. And in shaa Allah, you will see more fires. Praise be to Allah.”
The Camp Fire in Butte County, north of Sacramento in California’s Gold Rush country, has claimed the lives of at least 48 people, according to Cal Fire incident stats today. The blaze, which started Thursday, has destroyed 7,600 residences and 260 commercial buildings, making it the most destructive fire in the state’s history as it ripped through Paradise, Calif., at a speed of 80 acres per minute. It was 35 percent contained today at 130,000 acres. The cause is still under investigation.