Google Maps Just Unburned the Pacific Palisades

Angelenos have been noticing one thing unusual: the Google Maps satellite tv for pc imagery depicting the Los Angeles areas of the Pacific Palisades and Altadena now exhibits pristine neighborhoods untouched by the devastating fires of January 2025.

Of course, as we all know, those neighborhoods are in ruins. Why would Google faux in any other case?

On Reddit, person TinyPinkSparkles requested, “Why is Google maps back to displaying previous satellite tv for pc pictures of Altadena?” She continued:

Not too long after the fire, Google updated the satellite imagery to reflect the fire and thousands of lost structures. Now it’s back to pre-fire images of houses and businesses that are no longer there. Why?

Meanwhile, somebody going by the tag Lisa S. requested Google Maps Help how to get the tech giant to reply, because the gaslighting is definitely affecting people:

Obviously, this is problematic for many reasons – navigation, recovery efforts, and mental health among them. I’ve tried using the feedback form, but would like to know if there’s a more direct way to report this major error to Google.

Now, there are a lot of internet rumors and conspiracy theories out there. Is this just another example of kooky folks putting on their tin-foil hats? I decided to take a look for myself, and yep, what they’re saying appears to be correct. 

RedState Managing Editor Jennifer Van Laar took note as well:

Yes, I noticed this last week and have been meaning to post about it. What the hell @Google @googlemaps? Palisades is gone for now. How will this help people trying to rebuild? https://t.co/CxDhcpDWCK pic.twitter.com/KqedWEHc0Q

— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) May 16, 2026

Hmm, not a destroyed home or burn scar in sight. At the backside of the map that I seen, it says in very small letters: “Imagery ©2026 Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Vexcel Imaging US, Inc., Data CSUMB SFML, OA CPC, Map data ©2026 Google.” 

Well, the copyrights could also be from 2026, but the satellite tv for pc pictures definitely don’t seem to show the actuality that is the Palisades at any level in the current 12 months.

MORE: A RedState Photo Odyssey: The Devastation of the Pacific Palisades Is America’s Wake-Up Call

Hot Takes: The Democrats’ Latest Attack on Spencer Pratt Reeks of Big Time Desperation

Now, let’s not get too hasty with our conclusions right here. There’s nothing actually big going on in California these days, is there? Oh wait. Voters have been weighing in on both the mayoral and gubernatorial races since May 4 in the essential month-long major, which mercifully ends on June 2. 

Oh.

Even though one of Google’s co-founders, billionaire Sergey Brin, has shown indicators in latest months of transferring away from the Left, his company has been no pal to conservatives over the years and has routinely been called out for censoring Republicans and algorithmically burying their voices.

Whether any of this got here into play in Google’s obvious map change is unclear, but it’s definitely noteworthy.

But hey, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt — possibly they just never up to date their maps after the fire?

Wait, never thoughts — they most definitely did. Here’s what Realtor.com reported in February 2025:

Google Maps’ satellite tv for pc pictures have revealed the catastrophic scale of the Los Angeles wildfires as UCLA economists reveal that the two largest blazes might have brought about up to $164 billion in property and financial loss.

Igniting in early January, the Palisades and Eaton fires, pushed by highly effective Santa Ana winds, scorched through a mixed whole of more than 37,000 acres. By the time the blazes have been finally contained more than three weeks later, they killed at least 29 people and ravaged over 16,240 houses and companies.

wow. just checked. it is true. google maps (left), google earth (proper). pic.twitter.com/jpNV03nOCG

— nic carter (@nic_carter) May 16, 2026

So why the change? Google has not responded to customers’ calls for for solutions. I received’t use any fire references right here out of respect for the victims, so let’s just say, when one thing smells, there’s often one thing rotten afoot.

Editor’s Note: California is the poster little one for every part that is mistaken with the Democrat Party and the “progressive” motion.

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