Fact Checking the Flames: What’s Real, What’s Not

The California fire, specifically the Eaton Fire, started on January 7, 2025, Altadena/Pasadena, Los Angeles County. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The fire has spread rapidly, fueled by hurricane-force winds and dry conditions, scorching over 14,117 acres, with only 3% containment as of January 10, 2025 ¹. The situation is dire, with evacuation orders in place for nearly 293,000 residents, and a death toll of five, with all cases pending identification and notification of next of kin .

Current Status as of 11 January,2025 :

• Structures Threatened: 39,428
• Structures Destroyed: 972
• Structures Damaged: 84
• Civilian Injuries: Unknown
• Firefighter Injuries: 5
• Civilian Fatalities: 5
• Firefighter Fatalities: 0 ¹

The fire has also led to school closures, with several LA County school districts and schools reporting closures due to the fires and weather conditions. California has secured federal assistance to support the response to the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County.

Unfortunately, social media has also been engulfed in the spread of fake news related to the incident. We have compiled a thread of viral videos and claims about the recent misleading claims surrounding the California wildfire.

Fact check 1:

A viral video claiming to show a recent fire in Los Angeles, California, has been circulating on social media. However, an investigation by DFRAC found that the video was not genuine. Despite multiple shots of a fire-engulfed area, no media reports confirmed the video’s authenticity. Furthermore, AI detection tools like Hive Moderation and Was it AI identified the images as likely AI-generated, proving that the video was fake.

Fact check 2:

A shocking video claiming to show devastating footage from a recent California wildfire has been circulating rapidly on social media, leaving viewers stunned. However, an investigation by DFRAC revealed a different truth. Using a reverse key image search, DFRAC’s team dug deeper and found that the footage is actually from the 2017 Getty Fire, not a recent wildfire as claimed. This discovery exposed the video as a case of misinformation, highlighting the importance of verifying sources before sharing.

Fact check 3:

A false claim circulating online alleges that the US sent $250 billion to Ukraine, resulting in a shortage of fire equipment, and Los Angeles firefighters are forced to use handbags to put out fires. However, this claim is entirely unfounded and misleading. LAFD officials clarified that the “handbags” seen in news reports are actually canvas bags used by firefighters to carry water for extinguishing small fires, as it’s easier than deploying a hose.

Fact check 4:

A viral video falsely claims to show individuals looting and robbing homes during the California wildfire. However, the truth is far from it as we at DFRAC conducted a fact-check and found that the people in the video are actually family members and friends helping each other move belongings to safety. They were even featured in a news interview on KTLA 5, debunking the false looting narrative.
 

Fact check 5:

A video has been circulating online, allegedly showing a scene from the California wildfire, with a narrator stating “The lady needs to be taken out.” However, our investigation revealed that the claim is entirely false. The video, confirmed by dailymail.com that it is from December 17, 2024, and has no connection to the California wildfire.

Fact check 6:

A video circulating on social media claims to show “mysterious explosions in the clouds” over South Central Los Angeles, sparking speculation about experiments or phenomena. However, as we ran a fact-check at DFRAC, it was revealed that the video is actually from September 2024, capturing a firework display by artist Cai Guo-Qiang at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Fact check 7:

A viral video circulating on social media falsely claims that the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles has been destroyed by fire. However, we at DFRAC, conducted a fact-check revealed that this claim is entirely untrue. Verification through the Hollywood sign’s live webcam and a Los Angeles Fire Department statement confirmed that the sign remains intact and unaffected by fire.

Fact check 8:

A viral video circulating during the California fires appears to show fires starting simultaneously at three different locations, sparking skepticism and questions about the possibility of arson. However, a fact-check at DFRAC revealed that a similar video from ABC shorts is actually from September 2024 is on Youtube, and has no connection to the current California fires, debunking speculation about the origin of the fires.

Conclusion:
 The California wildfires have been accompanied by a surge in misinformation and fake news on social media. Several viral videos and posts have been debunked as false, including claims of looting, mysterious explosions, and the destruction of the Hollywood sign. It’s essential to fact-check information before sharing to prevent the spread of misinformation during crises.

So, let’s pause, verify, and share the factual news at DFRAC.