The Los Angeles area wildfires that have devastated communities like Pacific Palisades and Altadena have prompted a spike in prices for rental housing, spurring price gouging concerns.

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 are sounding the alarm as rent prices skyrocket in fire-affected areas of Los Angeles. With the declaration of a state of emergency due to recent wildfires, the law prohibits landlords from price gouging,