As deadly wildfires ravaged Los Angeles and destroyed thousands of structures in January 2025, an image of a red-roofed house surrounded by scorched rubble was shared in social media posts that falsely claimed it survived the blazes because its owner is Muslim and the Koran was inside.

By David Swanson and Daniel Trotta CASTAIC, California (Reuters) -A new wildfire that broke out north of Los Angeles on Wednesday rapidly spread to more than 9,400 acres (38 square km), fueled by strong winds and dry brush,