Google Maps slammed for hiding brutal reality of LA fires ahead of elections
Google Maps has faced criticism for reverting satellite images of areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires to pre-fire conditions. This change has raised suspicions of political motivations, particularly ahead of the upcoming Los Angeles mayoral elections. Users have reported inconsistencies between Google Maps and other mapping services, leading to calls for accurate information regarding the fire-damaged areas.
- ▪Google Maps has reverted images of wildfire-affected areas to pre-fire conditions, sparking controversy.
- ▪Users have noted that locations like Homepark Avenue and Iliff Street show untouched landscapes despite being devastated by fires.
- ▪Critics suggest that this change may be politically motivated, coinciding with the reelection campaign of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
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Metro Google Maps slammed for hiding brutal reality of LA fires ahead of elections By Titus Wu Published May 18, 2026, 1:47 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Users of Google Maps in recent days have noticed something very peculiar: Satellite map images that once showed the devastation from last year’s devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires have now been reverted to before the fires. The change has fueled speculation of political motivations, though no evidence has been provided. The California Post searched the maps services itself to confirm the change and noted several areas torn by the fires were shown to be in untouched condition.
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