FACT CHECK: No, The Hollywood Sign Is Not Currently On Fire

A post shared on social media purports that the iconic Hollywood sign landmark is currently on fire.

Verdict: False

The claim is inaccurate.

Fact Check:

10 people have been confirmed dead in the current LA fires as tens of thousands of acres are burning, The Los Angeles Times reported. Some evacuation orders have been lifted as fires are as much as 75% contained and as little as 3% contained in certain areas, according to the outlet.

A post shared on Facebook alleges that the Los Angeles fires have spread to the Hollywood sign. The post shared an image of the sign in flames.

The caption reads, “Wow i literally just left Hollywood Walk of Fame….my phone went off with a fire alert i jumped in my bus seat and was like I’m getting the hell outta here…. As I took off ppl rushing to the bus…. A crowd on Hollywood/sunset recording this fire…. Fire trucks started rushing by…. I know what fiya look like namu so I rush outta there…. Smoke was thick Btw the fire not on the sign…”

The claim is inaccurate. The AI detector tool Hive Moderation found an 81.8% chance that the image is AI generated. The Santa Monica Mountains, where the sign is located is not currently in the evacuation zone, according to The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Local Los Angeles News outlet shared an image of the sign from Jan. 8 with no fire damage.

CBS News reported that the Hollywood sign and the nearby Griffith Observatory were near the mandatory evacuation zone. Other landmarks Dolby Theatre the Magic Castle, the Capitol Records Building are within the evacuation zone. (RELATED: Did The Los Angeles Fire Department Request Help From ‘Anyone With Firefighting Experience’?)

This is not the first time an AI image has circulated as genuine online. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim an image showed Luigi Mangione’s mugshot.