An image shared on Facebook purports to show the recent fires in California.

Verdict: False

The image is not recent but shows a 2018 fire that occurred in the northern California town of Paradise, according to WHYY. The image was originally captured by The Associated Press.

Fact Check:

At least 24 people have died, and 16 others are missing as a result of recent fires in California, according to Forbes. Among the dead is a 67-year-old amputee who “refused to leave his disabled son behind,” the outlet reported.

The Facebook image, viewed over 300 times as of writing, purports to show the recent fires in California. In the image, a burned-down McDonald’s restaurant can be seen, followed by an image of Dr. Evil, a fictional character from the “Austin Powers” movie series.

The fictional character makes the air quotations gesture with text appearing on the image reading, “Forest Fires.” The image’s caption, however, implies the fires are a result of a Direct Energy Weapon (DEW).

“This is a McDonalds in California that was just destroyed by a forest fire. You can see the forest said to be responsible in the background. Just dew it,” the image’s caption reads.

The claim is false. The image of the McDonald’s restaurant is not recent but shows a 2018 fire that occurred in the northern California town of Paradise. The image is featured in a WHYY article and was originally captured by The Associated Press.

“A sign still stands at a McDonald’s restaurant burned in the Camp Fire, Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, in the northern California town of Paradise,” the image’s caption reads. (RELATED: Did The Los Angeles Fire Department Request Help From ‘Anyone With Firefighting Experience?’)

Likewise, the Facebook image has not been included in any credible news reports about the recent fires impacting California. Actually, the opposite is true. On Jan. 10, USA Today debunked the claim, also tracing the image back to the 2018 WHYY article.

In addition, the Los Angeles Fire Department has not referenced the image on its official website or its verified social media accounts.

Santa Ana winds have helped the fires to spread “much faster than normal,” according to The Associated Press.