California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday announced his office has opened investigations into reports of price-gouging in the Southern California areas ravaged by devastating wildfires. “We have boots on the ground conducting investigations as we speak,” he said in a Thursday press conference.

Southern California's expensive housing market is going to get a lot more competitive after deadly firestorms torched more than 12,000 homes and other structures in the Los Angeles area, leaving tens of thousands of people without a place to stay.

California, which prides itself on being a global leader in environmental innovation, should be championing advancements in plastics recycling, not attacking them.

Southern California’s expensive housing market is going to get a lot more competitive after deadly firestorms torched more than 12,000 homes and other structures in the Los Angeles area, leaving tens of thousands of people without a place to stay.

California officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, are warning fire victims and other residents to be wary of fraudsters trying to take advantage of the wildfire crisis.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said it is illegal for landlords to accept rent that exceeds the cap, even if someone is offering to pay a higher amount. “You cannot jack up prices and take advantage of disaster victims, plain and simple,” he said.

Recent wildfires in Southern California have left over 12,000 homes destroyed and thousands displaced, leading to a more competitive housing market. R

Fires across the Los Angeles area have killed at least 25 people. The Palisades and Eaton fires continue to burn in Southern California.

The American Red Cross is helping wildfire victims find shelter and food. Call the American Red Cross hotline at 1-800-RED CROSS or text CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a donation. The nonprofit organization urged Californians to sign up to give blood, noting that blood donations have dropped since the fires began.

Nearly a dozen people are believed to be dead -- with the Los Angeles County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as devastating fires spread across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction.

As thousands of displaced families look for a place to stay, the state has issued a series of protections, including one against price gouging.

Governor Newsom takes action to provide housing for California firestorm victims, including expediting construction of ADUs and fighting price gouging.