State issues consumer alert on price gouging in light of Bridge, Airport fires

As the Bridge and Airport fires continue, California Attorney General Rob Bonta strongly warned that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal, with violators facing hefty fines and or jail time.

Bonta’s message on Friday followed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s state of emergency declaration due to the Bridge Fire in San Bernardino County and the Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties.

The Bridge Fire on Friday had burned over 52,000 acres, and the Airport Fire over 23,000 acres, forcing the evacuation of residents, and threatening and destroying homes and critical infrastructure.

In his consumer alert, Attorney General Bonta said Californians who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should report it to their local authorities or the attorney general.

To view a list of all price gouging restrictions currently in effect as a result of proclamations by the Governor, visit caloes.ca.gov.

“As numerous wildfires force evacuations across Southern California, I want to be very clear: California’s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies,” said Attorney General Bonta in a press release. “If you see price gouging, please file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov/report or contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.”

Price gouging law

California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price a seller charged for an item before a state or local declaration of emergency, the state said.

For items a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller’s cost of the item by more than 50%.

This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline.

The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing.

Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.