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.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a stern warning to landlords engaging in price-gouging tactics during bidding wars, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles County fires.

Price-gouging rules in place because of the L.A. County fires apply even in cases of bidding wars for rental property, state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said.

Amid the deadly Los Angeles County wildfires, some landlords have decided to raise the prices of housing due to the high demand.