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.

Heartbroken families, burned-out business owners and beleaguered Los Angeles leaders are beginning to ponder a monumental task: rebuilding what was lost in the fires.