Google has insisted that a 'technical issue' caused users to see satellite images that did not accurately depict the destruction caused by the Palisades Fires. The tech giant faced accusations of 'covering up' the devastation ahead of the Los Angeles mayoral election on June 2, with reality TV star turned candidate Spencer Pratt making the disaster a key campaign issue.
Users alleged that map images previously showed streets of burned-out homes and properties reduced to ashes, but now displayed undamaged homes still standing. Examples included the Altadena neighborhood of Homepark Avenue, which was completely decimated in the January 2025 fires, with no homes left standing. In recent Google Maps images, however, the community appeared untouched by the devastating fires.
Pratt's Campaign and the Google Maps Controversy
Pratt, whose $3.8 million mansion was destroyed in the wildfires last year, has made Mayor Karen Bass's handling of the disaster a central pillar of his campaign to replace her. After the Google Maps glitch emerged, the 42-year-old took to X on Monday to slam the tech company. 'Dear @Google... Wtf is this,' Pratt wrote.
The updated images appeared to first be spotted by X user Edward Mehr, who claimed that satellite pictures showing the devastation 'might not be ideal for re-election optics of LA Mayor.' In response to allegations that Google Maps was being intentionally tampered with, the tech giant replied to Pratt, stating it was an innocent computer glitch. 'This is a technical issue triggered by a recent, routine update to satellite imagery in Google Maps and Earth, which accidentally restored old imagery from before the fires,' the company said. Google added in its post: 'We’re fixing it ASAP.'
Pratt's Rising Candidacy
Pratt's candidacy for Los Angeles mayor has gained traction in the weeks leading up to election day. Initially seen as a longshot candidate when he launched his campaign in January, many viewed his hardline stances on social issues as too conservative for LA's voters. However, Pratt's brash campaigning has won praise in recent weeks, with a number of celebrities and political figures endorsing his run to unseat Bass.
The 42-year-old went viral earlier this month in a heated debate, where he slammed the incumbent mayor for 'burning my house down.' The remark drew laughter from the audience, as Pratt was perceived by many to have dominated the debate and come out on top of his rivals. A poll from NBC found that 79 percent of viewers believed Pratt won the showdown, and the famously liberal LA Times determined he was the 'winner.'
As well as making Bass's handling of the wildfires a key component of his campaign, Pratt has also vowed to aggressively crack down on Los Angeles's issues of widespread homelessness and drug use. Last week, the issue of Pratt's home burning down again hit headlines as TMZ reported he was living in the Bel Air Hotel, one of LA's swankiest hotels, instead of a trailer that he previously claimed to be living in.
After the outlet shared their story about Pratt's fancy living quarters, the candidate responded on X: 'Hey guys, why don’t they wanna talk about why I need a hotel in the first place?' 'Karen Bass let my home burn down,' he added. 'Also 6,000 of my neighbors. NBD.' He also told TMZ that he felt the need to stay at the hotel for his own safety, saying he has received death threats as his campaign gains traction. Pratt told the outlet his trailer was not suitable to keep him safe, but the hotel has 'its own armed security and that has become the only option.'
Referring to supporters of his rivals, Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman, as 'Bassholes and Ramaniacs,' Pratt said he has faced death threats from 'whackos.' 'Since I destroyed them in the debate, and am surging in the polls, they are getting increasingly desperate and hostile,' he said. 'I can't talk about specific threats, but that lot is unsafe now.'
Voters in Los Angeles vote on June 2. If no candidate wins 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will head to a runoff in November.
