By Mary O’KEEFE

District attorneys of Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara and San Bernardino counties sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom asking him to extend an emergency declaration related to the Palisades and Eaton fires so unscrupulous people can be prosecuted who are seizing on these tragedies as an opportunity to profit through price gouging. 

Current law, Penal Code section 396, does not allow prosecutors to prosecute price gouging in counties outside of an area where a Declaration of Emergency has been made. That means that currently rents in Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara and San Bernardino are not capped at 10% increases and those who practice price gouging cannot be prosecuted. Extending the Declaration of Emergency to these counties would allow the aggressive prosecution of those who seek to profit from victims who have lost everything in these unprecedented fires.

Los Angeles County announced the launch of the Right of Entry form for the free debris removal program available to residents impacted by the recent Eaton and Palisades fires. To participate in the free service a form, found at https://recovery.lacounty.gov, must be filled out and submitted.

Residents can call the Fire Debris Hotline with questions or get help completing the form at (844) 347-3332. In person assistance is also available at Disaster Recovery Centers, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. People can find the location of the recovery centers at https://recovery.lacounty.gov.