You've probably seen the photos. Thick orange smoke billowing behind the "H," or even more dramatic shots of the entire ridge line on Mount Lee engulfed in flames. If you're scrolling through social media right now, it looks like a disaster movie come to life.
But here’s the thing: you shouldn’t believe every terrifying image that hits your feed.
As of Wednesday, January 14, 2026, there is no fire at the Hollywood Sign. The landmark is completely intact.
The panic people are feeling today is actually a strange "anniversary anxiety" mixed with a heavy dose of AI-generated misinformation. To understand why "Hollywood sign fire today" is trending, we have to look back exactly one year to the massive fires that actually did devastate Los Angeles in early January 2025.
Why Everyone Thinks the Hollywood Sign is on Fire Today
It's been exactly one year since the Eaton and Palisades fires of 2025 tore through Southern California. Those fires were real. They were horrific. They destroyed over 16,000 structures and claimed lives.
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Because today is the one-year anniversary, many residents and news outlets are sharing "look back" photos and memorials. When these images get reshared without the original "One Year Ago" caption, they go viral as if they are happening now.
Kinda frustrating, right?
Then you have the AI factor. Last year, while the Sunset Fire was burning in Runyon Canyon (west of the 101 Freeway), people started using AI tools to generate fake photos of the Hollywood Sign on fire. Jeff Zarrinnam, the chairman of the Hollywood Sign Trust, has had to spend a significant amount of time debunking these. He’s been on record repeatedly stating that the sign is east of the 101 and was never in the direct path of those specific flames.
The Reality of Fire Risks at Griffith Park
Just because the sign isn't burning today doesn't mean the risk isn't real. Griffith Park is basically a tinderbox. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) classifies the area as a "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone."
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The vegetation on Mount Lee is mostly coastal sage scrub and chaparral. This stuff is designed by nature to burn—it's part of the ecosystem's cycle—but in a city of 4 million people, that natural cycle is a nightmare.
- Brush Clearance: The Hollywood Sign Trust and the City of Los Angeles maintain a strict 200-foot brush clearance around the letters.
- Security: There are 24/7 cameras and thermal sensors monitored by the LAPD’s Security Services Division.
- Access: Many of the "Hollywood sign fire" rumors start because people see smoke from small nearby brush fires or even legal controlled burns and assume the worst.
Honestly, the biggest threat to the sign usually isn't a random lightning strike. It's human error. Whether it’s a tossed cigarette or an illegal campfire in the hills, the LAFD is constantly on high alert in this specific zip code.
How to Verify Real-Time Fire Updates in Los Angeles
If you see a post about a fire and you aren't sure if it's legit, stop. Don't share it yet.
Check the LAFD Alerts page or their official X (formerly Twitter) account. They are incredibly fast. If there’s a "Major Emergency" fire near the Hollywood Hills, they will have an incident number (like INC#1523) and a specific address posted within minutes.
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You can also look at the Cal Fire incident map. If the Hollywood Sign were actually under threat, it would be the lead story on every major news network from ABC7 to the LA Times. If you only see it on a random TikTok account with dramatic music, it’s probably fake.
The 2025 fires left deep scars on the city. Thousands of people are still fighting with insurance companies to rebuild their homes in places like Altadena and the Palisades. When fake images of the Hollywood Sign burning go viral, it doesn't just "trick" people—it causes genuine panic for survivors who are already on edge.
Actionable Steps for Staying Safe and Informed
Basically, living in or visiting Los Angeles means being "fire-smart."
- Download the Notifyla App: This is the city's official emergency alert system. It's the most reliable way to get evacuation orders.
- Follow the Hollywood Sign Trust: They often post live views or status updates when rumors start to spiral.
- Check the Air Quality: Sometimes the "smoke" people see isn't fire at all, but a thick marine layer or high-altitude smog that looks orange during sunset.
- Practice Digital Skepticism: If an image of a landmark looks too perfectly cinematic, look for AI artifacts—like blurred letters or weirdly shaped flames that don't follow the wind.
The Hollywood Sign has survived since 1923. It's been through the 1961 Bel Air fire and countless smaller scares. While it's always good to be vigilant, rest easy today—the letters are safe.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to help with ongoing recovery from last year's actual fires, you can look into the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. They provide essential equipment to firefighters that the city budget doesn't always cover. If you're planning to hike near the sign today, stay on the designated trails (like the Brush Canyon Trail) and remember that smoking is strictly prohibited in all city parks.