Topline
As other landmarks have been severely damaged or destroyed by the wildfires in Los Angeles County, AI-generated images and videos appearing to show the iconic Hollywood Sign on fire have circulated on social media, despite officials and live video feeds debunking the claim.
The century-old landmark remains untouched by ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County, despite … [+] claims on social media.
Key Facts
Several posts claiming the Hollywood Sign is on fire have been shared on X, including a video with more than 348,000 views suggesting the Hollywood Sign is “surrounded by fire” as the Sunset Fire approaches the area near the landmark.
Jeff Zarrinnam, chair of the Hollywood Sign Trust, a nonprofit that preserves the sign, told Forbes in a statement any posts on social media claiming the landmark is on fire are false and cite AI-generated images or videos.
There is no damage to the Hollywood Sign, Zarrinnam said, and a livestream of the Hollywood Sign is available on the trust’s website.
The Hollywood Sign, located on Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains, is not located in an area designated for evacuation orders or evacuation warnings, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Griffith Park, an area that includes the Hollywood Sign, the Los Angeles Zoo and the Griffith Observatory, has been closed as a safety precaution, Zarrinnam said.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
What Landmarks Have Been Damaged By California Wildfires?
Several landmarks and state parks have been destroyed or damaged by the fires, including Palisades Charter High School, which was featured in movies like “Teen Wolf,” “Carrie” and “Freaky Friday.” Will Rogers State Historic Park, a 300-acre park once owned by actor Will Rogers, and the nearby Topanga Ranch Motel have been seriously damaged by the Palisades Fire, according to state park officials. Theatre Palisades, a community theater founded in 1963, sustained “serious” damage.
Key Background
The Hollywood Sign, first erected in 1923 as a wooden sign that read “Hollywoodland” to market a real estate development, has become a hallmark symbol peering over the surrounding Los Angeles area. The sign was donated to Los Angeles in 1944, according to the Hollywood Sign Trust, but later fell into disrepair before being restored in the late 1970s. The sign is also no longer wooden, making it less flammable, and is instead made from steel and mounted on a steel frame. Concerns about the landmark have increased in recent days as wildfires spread across Los Angeles County. At least five people have died from the fires as of Thursday, according to county officials, as more than 100,000 people have evacuated their homes.
