Palm Beach, FL —President Elect Donald Trump has allegedly started a controlled fire near his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, claiming it will be “the greatest wildfire anyone’s ever seen.” The move comes amid intense media coverage of California’s record-breaking wildfires, which Trump reportedly described as “too much of a California thing.”

Speaking to reporters at a hastily organized press conference held under ominously smoky skies, Trump declared, “You know, everyone talks about California. They think they have the best wildfires, the most tremendous wildfires, but Florida can do it better. Nobody does fires like Florida, folks. Believe me.”

Trump, who wore a red “Make Wildfires Great Again” cap, insisted the fire was not only a statement of Florida’s resilience but also an attempt to “bring attention to the unfair media bias” that he says disproportionately focuses on California. “The fake news won’t tell you this, but Florida’s fire is big, it’s beautiful, and it’s probably the cleanest fire in history.”

The announcement blindsided Florida’s emergency management officials, who are now scrambling to contain what they initially thought was a joke. “We’re used to dealing with hurricanes, not…whatever this is,” said one firefighter on the scene. “It’s like he’s trying to win a contest nobody entered.”

Environmentalists were quick to condemn the move, pointing out that Florida’s unique ecosystem is particularly vulnerable to fire damage. “This isn’t a competition; it’s ecological sabotage,” said Karen Greenfield, a climate scientist. “Florida’s wetlands are not built to withstand the kind of destruction that comes with a wildfire.”

When asked about the environmental risks, Trump dismissed the concerns, saying, “People say it’s bad for the environment. Wrong. I’ve talked to people—great people—who tell me this is actually good for the air. Clears it out. Like one of those fancy air purifiers, but better.”

The fire quickly became a trending topic on social media, with hashtags like #FloridaInferno and #TrumpFirestorm gaining traction. Memes flooded the internet, with one particularly popular image showing Trump’s face Photoshopped onto Smokey Bear’s body, captioned, “Only YOU can outshine California.”

Governor Gavin Newsom of California weighed in during a press briefing, saying, “While we’re focused on protecting lives and property, it’s disappointing—though not surprising—that Mr. Trump would turn a disaster into a publicity stunt.”

Trump, undeterred, fired back on Truth Social, writing, “Newsom is just jealous because Florida’s fire is winning. California’s fires are out of control—they’re disasters. Sad!”

As the flames continue to spread, Trump’s team is reportedly planning a rally at the fire’s edge, where he will deliver a speech titled “Why Florida Does Everything Better, Including Fires.” Tickets are free, though attendees are encouraged to bring their own marshmallows.

Whether this stunt will bolster Trump’s profile or simply add to his lengthy list of controversies remains to be seen. For now, Florida residents can only hope that the fire’s impact will be as fleeting as Trump’s political promises.