SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced Thursday that his company would provide free internet access via its Starlink terminals to those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles.

Responding to a news broadcast clip, Mr. Musk said that affected L.A. areas will have internet access via Starlink on Thursday. 

“SpaceX will provide free Starlink terminals to affected areas in LA tomorrow morning,” the CEO posted late Wednesday on X.

Mr. Musk was responding to a Fox News clip of a reporter covering the fires where the correspondent credited Starlink for her ability to communicate from the area. 

Mr. Musk’s promise comes after the billionaire has repeatedly blamed overreaching regulations for the wildfires. 

“These fires are easily avoidable, but nonsense regulations in California prevent action being taken,” he wrote on X. “So year after year homes burn down and more people die.”

Mr. Musk specifically criticized California environmental regulations that prevent homeowners from clearing brush near their homes. 

If California residents can get internet access through Starlink, it will mark the second instance of the broadband satellite service being used after a disaster in the past six months. Mr. Musk also promised free access to the technology for survivors of Hurricane Helene. 

However, an investigation from The Register found that hurricane victims were still required to pay up to $400 for a Starlink satellite along with shipping fees. Customers were also informed that while the first month’s subscription fee would be waived, they had to pay a monthly $120 subscription fee after 30 days.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.