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Billy Joel's Alibis For The Latest Wildfires: I Didn't Start The Fire, But Here's Where I Was

Category: Op-Ed

Author: Billy Joel

Published: March 23, 2025, 12:46 a.m.

Listen, I know what you're thinking. Every time there's a fire, folks start pointing fingers at me, the guy who wrote "We Didn't Start the Fire." But let me tell you, I didn't start any of these latest wildfires. Here's where I was when they happened:

2023 Hawaii Wildfires: 14,000+ Acres

When the Hawaii wildfires broke out, I was nowhere near the islands. I was actually in New York, celebrating the release of my new single "Turn the Lights Back On." I was surrounded by a sea of fans and media, and trust me, I couldn't have slipped away to start a fire even if I wanted to. Plus, I've got a soft spot for Hawaii – why would I want to burn it down?

2023 Matt's Creek Fire: 11,020 Acres

The Matt's Creek Fire in Virginia? I was on the other side of the country, performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. I was belting out "Piano Man" and "Uptown Girl" to a packed house, not setting fire to any creeks. I've got video footage and a whole auditorium full of witnesses to prove it. So, let's put that rumor to rest.

2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire: 1,100,000 Acres

The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Texas and Oklahoma was a big one, the largest in Texas history. But I was nowhere near the Texas panhandle. I was in Florida, enjoying some time at my new home in Manalapan. I was busy working on a new boat design with my partner at the Long Island Boat Company. No time for starting fires when you're trying to perfect a hull, you know?

2024 Park Fire: 429,603 Acres

The Park Fire in California, the largest caused by arson? I was actually in London, performing at the Royal Albert Hall. I was singing "Just the Way You Are" and "Only the Good Die Young" to a sold-out crowd. I've got the concert footage to prove it. Arson? More like "I Was On Stage, Son."

2024 Coffee Pot Fire: 14,104 Acres

When the Coffee Pot Fire broke out in California and injured three firefighters, I was back in New York. I was at Madison Square Garden, wrapping up my residency with my 104th performance. I was too busy playing "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "New York State of Mind" to be starting fires. Plus, I've got too much respect for our brave firefighters to ever do something like that.

2025 Southern California Wildfires: 57,636 Acres

The Southern California wildfires in 2025 were devastating, with twenty-eight people losing their lives and over 18,189 structures destroyed or damaged. But I was in Japan, performing at the Tokyo Dome. I was singing "The River of Dreams" and "We Didn't Start the Fire" (ironically, of course) to a crowd of thousands. I've got a whole tour crew and a bunch of Japanese fans who can vouch for my whereabouts.

So there you have it, my alibis for each of these wildfires. I didn't start any of them, and I've got the proof to back it up. Next time there's a fire, don't come knocking on my door. I'll be busy making music, not making mischief.

• Billy Joel is a legendary singer-songwriter known for hits like "Piano Man," "Uptown Girl," and "We Didn't Start the Fire." He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has sold over 160 million records worldwide.*