Trending Now - Google Maps Faces Backlash Over Misleading Fire Imagery

WHO:

TMZ - Spencer Pratt is among the users who noticed the change in Google Maps imagery.

WHAT:

TMZ - Google Maps rolled back parts of Los Angeles to pre-Palisades Fire imagery, making burned neighborhoods appear untouched.

NY Post - The change in imagery has led to political explanations, although there has been no public comment from Google.

WHERE:

TMZ - The changes in Google Maps imagery pertain to neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

WHEN:

TMZ - The updated satellite views were noticed on a Monday.

WHY:

TMZ - Google Maps attributed the misleading imagery to a glitch.

HOW:

TMZ - The method of the imagery change involved updating satellite views on Google Maps.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 21:21 UTC)

Google Maps has rolled back parts of Los Angeles to pre-Palisades Fire imagery, making burned neighborhoods appear untouched, a change that was first noticed by Spencer Pratt. This glitch has sparked political explanations, although Google has yet to make any public comment on the matter. The updated satellite views were observed on a Monday, highlighting the method of changing imagery through updated satellite views on the platform.