Joe Rogan Guest Jeff Dye Slams California’s Wildfire Response and Hollywood’s Post-Election “Empty Promises”

Comedian Jeff Dye has voiced blistering criticism of California’s handling of the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year, telling Joe Rogan that the state and city governments appeared “not competent” during one of the most destructive disasters in recent memory.

During Dye’s conversation with Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience, the comedian said he was “alarmed” by how the January fires were managed and by the confusion that spread across communities in the aftermath.

“Those fires were a wake-up call”

Dye told Rogan:

“Those fires were quite a wake-up call. Even if, you know, whatever you believe about the fires, the way it was dealt with was pretty scary.”

Rogan immediately agreed, saying:

“It was not competent, that’s for sure.”

Dye added that even the aftermath of the disaster left residents shaken, describing the slow reconstruction efforts and the uncertainty communities faced.

According to Cal Fire and the Los Angeles Times, the January fires burned over 55,000 acres, destroyed more than 16,000 structures, and caused at least 29 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest fire seasons California has experienced in years.
(Source: LA Times, Cal Fire incident summaries)

Jeff Dye performs at The Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena, Calif., on July 27, 2023.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference during the UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil on Nov. 11, 2025.

The worst-hit areas included:

• The Palisades Fire — 6,837 buildings destroyed, 12 deaths

• The Eaton Fire — 9,414 buildings destroyed, 18 deaths

Newsom and LA leadership faced criticism

Both California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced immediate backlash following the fires. Critics argued that state and local officials had failed to strengthen evacuation systems, expand brush-clearing efforts, or adequately prepare strained water infrastructure for extreme wildfire conditions.

The Guardian and LA Times reported that many residents complained of:

• Extended delays in rebuilding permits

• Insurance battles leaving families without settlement support

• Infrastructure failures, including water pressure inconsistencies during fire response

• Confusion about evacuation zones and emergency alerts

Dye and Rogan’s comments echo frustrations voiced in numerous town halls across Los Angeles County.
Fox News Digital confirmed they reached out to Governor Newsom’s office for comment.

Portia de Rossi, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell have all fled the US for Europe.

Rogan and Dye Also Criticize Celebrities Who Vowed to Leave the U.S. If Trump Won

In the same episode, the pair shifted to another topic: celebrities who publicly claimed they would leave the United States if Donald Trump secured another presidential term.

Dye mocked the repeated promises:

“They go, ‘I’m going to move.’ They make those kind of threats.”

Rogan noted that some actually followed through.

“Some people do move,” Rogan said.
“Yeah, some people do,” Dye agreed. “I respect Rosie [O’Donnell] and Ellen [DeGeneres] for that.”

Rosie O’Donnell relocated to Ireland

Rosie O’Donnell confirmed in March that she left the U.S. on January 15, just days before Trump’s inauguration. According to BBC News and her TikTok videos, she said she sought security and emotional stability for her youngest child after years of political tension.

Jeff Dye in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 2021.

“The people have been so loving, so kind and so welcoming,” she said.
“When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”

She is currently pursuing Irish citizenship.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi moved to England

Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi also made headlines in November 2024 when they left Montecito, California, and resettled in the Cotswolds, UK.
(Source: BBC interview)

DeGeneres said the move began as a partial retreat but became permanent after Trump’s reelection:

“We got here the day before the election… woke up to crying emojis. I was like, ‘He got in’. And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here’.”

Dye: It was “dumb” but at least they followed through

Dye concluded:

“It’s dumb that they left because now they just can’t vote. But at least they left. Hundreds of celebrities said they would leave and didn’t.”

His frustration echoes long-running accusations that many Hollywood figures make dramatic political claims without taking real action — something Rogan also criticized in past episodes (cited by Variety and Rolling Stone).