A web page which copied the design and style of Cable News Network (CNN.Com) ran a fake story blaming the California wildfires on "radical Hispanic separatist", triggering complaints to the news organisation.
The web page, which has since been removed by the service provider after CNN lodged a protest, was picked up and reported on as real by several bloggers over the weekend.
The network said it took action immediately when reports of the hoax surfaced. "Given the sensitivity of the situation in the state of California, we believe it is necessary to set the record straight that the fake news story implicating 'a Hispanic separatist organisation' in causing the wildfires is a hoax," CNN said in a written statement.
"Based on the gross misuse of the CNN brand, we demanded that the Web service provider hosting the page on which the fake story appears pull it immediately, and they are cooperating."
The California fires have scorched more than 500,000 acres and were the direct cause of seven deaths, according to officials. They also destroyed more than 1,600 homes. Damage could run into the billions of dollars.
