Latest news with #PalisadesFire
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Los Angeles sues Airbnb for alleged price gouging following wildfires
LOS Angeles sued Airbnb, accusing the home rental company of allowing price gouging affecting at least 2,000 properties during January's wildfires in Southern California, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said on Friday. According to a complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, rental prices rose more than 10 per cent for 'at least two thousand—and possibly more than three thousand' Airbnb properties in the city between Jan 7 and 17. Los Angeles said the increases occurred before Airbnb disabled its 'smart pricing' tool, which lets owners have rental prices adjust automatically based on demand, for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Airbnb was accused of violating a California law that prohibits prices of essential goods and services from rising more than 10 per cent following a state of emergency. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles on Jan 7, triggering the state's anti-gouging law, and it has been extended several times. Feldstein Soto said that while Airbnb, with an estimated 80 per cent market share in the city, has taken steps to curtail price gouging, evidence indicates it may be continuing. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up She separately accused the San Francisco-based company of misrepresenting to prospective renters that it has 'verified' hosts and property locations on its website, some of which don't exist. In a statement, Airbnb said the company, chief executive Brian Chesky, and its affiliated nonprofit have contributed nearly US$30 million to fire recovery efforts, including free emergency housing to nearly 24,000 people. It also said Airbnb hosts receive error messages if they try to boost prices more than 10 per cent from pre-emergency rates. The lawsuit accuses Airbnb of violating California's unfair competition law. It seeks an injunction to stop illegal rents during the state of emergency, plus civil fines of up to US$2,500 per violation. The Southern California wildfires killed at least 30 people and destroyed or damaged more than 16,000 structures. Much of the damage came from the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire in Altadena. The fires charred an area larger than Paris. REUTERS
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
L.A. wildfires broke record for costliest in the history of the planet
The Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles are now the costliest set of wildfires in global history, according to a new insurance industry report. Gallagher Re, a global reinsurance firm, estimates that the January fires caused economic losses of $65 billion, including $40 billion of insured damage. That makes the two blazes the 'costliest individual wildfire events ever recorded for the (re)insurance industry,' according to the report released Wednesday. Reinsurance firms provide insurance to insurance companies in order to handle the costs of major catastrophes, such as large wildfires, and closely track the costs of such events. Measured by structures destroyed — which includes homes as businesses as well as barns and sheds — the Eaton and Palisades fires are the second and third most destructive fires in state history, respectively, according to Cal Fire. Their massive scale of devastation is only outpaced by the 2018 Camp Fire, which destroyed more than 18,800 structures in and around the community of Paradise (Butte County). The Eaton Fire, which killed 18 people, is also the fifth deadliest wildfire in California. The Palisades Fire is the ninth deadliest, with 12 deaths. Though previous fires have burned more structures, the Palisades and Eaton fires uniquely ripped through scores of highly expensive homes. Data from the California Department of Insurance shows that insurance companies, including the California FAIR Plan, have paid out $17.1 billion to customers as of May 12. That number is likely to get much higher as clean up continues and residents return to rebuild. But it's already far outpaced the previous record for costliest wildfire years in California history — 2017 and 2018, when historic fires seasons cost about $12 billion a year in insured losses. The Los Angeles fires prompted renewed attention to the insurance industry and led to scores of lawsuits that accuse insurance companies of illegally colluding to drive up prices and purposefully underinsuring clients. Insurance companies have largely declined to comment on the litigation; industry representatives have refuted such allegations, pointing instead to market forces and a lack of homeowner knowledge. Last month, the California Department of Insurance launched an investigation into State Farm General's claims practices; the insurer said investigators will find it's helped thousands of people to recover. The department also launched a task force to create the first-ever statewide standards for smoke claims in response to homeowners' complaints that insurance companies are denying coverage for testing and proper cleanup of homes sullied by smoke but not burned. California wildfire losses for 2025 could rise further as the state's traditional fire season kicks off. All of that might seem to complicate California officials' efforts to tame the state's ongoing insurance crisis, which first kicked off after the massive blazes of 2017 and 2018. But so far, no insurance company has announced plans to exit the state, stop writing policies or drop existing customers en masse, said Deputy Insurance Commissioner Michael Soller. That's a big departure from historic wildfires of the past, which have prompted insurers like State Farm and Allstate to cut back on their presence in the state and even drove one smaller insurer out of business. Instead, many insurers seem to be waiting for a set of reforms spearheaded by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara set to take full effect this summer. These reforms are widely expected to lead to increased insurance prices, but regulators promise they'll also persuade more insurance companies to write policies in high-fire-risk areas. 'We're still on track for what we expected before these fires,' Soller said.
4 days ago
Fire truck found at Southern California man's home, police charge suspect for impersonating first responder
A Southern California man has been charged for allegedly impersonating a firefighter after officials found a fire truck and other first responder gear at his home, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. Steve Farzam, 47, was charged on Thursday with 28 criminal counts for a "string of alleged crimes that occurred between 2023 and May of this year, including impersonating a firefighter during the Palisades Fire, assaulting a first responder and discharging a laser at aircrafts," the district attorney's office said in a press release on Thursday. "This defendant's alleged actions reflect a disturbing pattern of lawlessness and disregard for public safety. If proven, this type of escalating conduct undermines the integrity of our emergency response systems and erodes public trust and we will use every single legal tool available to hold the defendant accountable," Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. The investigation into Farzam began earlier this month when the Los Angeles Police Department started looking into cases "involving pilots being struck by a laser while piloting commercial aircraft and helicopters around West Los Angeles area," according to a press release from the LAPD. The incident occurred back on Feb. 21, when the suspect pointed a blue laser on law enforcement and commercial aircraft, according to ABC Los Angeles station KABC. This investigation "led to an individual named Steven Farzam," with police then filing 28 counts of felony and misdemeanor charges against him and securing a search warrant, police said. On Wednesday, the suspect was taken into custody and officials served a "multi-location search warrant at Farzam's residences in West Los Angeles," police said. During the search, police found two utility vehicles with California exempt license plates, police and fire light package equipment for vehicles, radios, first responder identifications, a Pierce Fire Engine, multiple rounds of ammunition, "various fraudulent documents relating to a fictitious Fire Department and other first responder paraphernalia," officials said. The fire truck that was discovered at his home had burn marks on the top of it and was registered to the Santa Muerte Fire Department, which does not exist, officials said. Officials believe on Jan. 16, Farzam "posed as a firefighter during the Palisades Fire, gaining access to restricted emergency zones and interfering with emergency operations," according to the district attorney's office. During Farzam's arraignment on Thursday, Deputy District Attorney David Ayvazian said that during the Palisades Fire, the suspect "tried to badge his way into fire zones, which he successfully did at least three times -- pretending to be an arson investigator," according to KABC. Farzam faces six counts of discharging a laser at an aircraft, three counts of assault with a deadly or dangerous weapon, four counts of assault upon a peace officer, one count of impersonation of a public officer, one count of carrying a loaded unregistered handgun in a vehicle, seven counts of perjury by declaration and one count of procuring and offering false or forged instrument, officials said. He also faces the two misdemeanor charges of impersonating a fire officer and trespassing on closed lands, the district attorney's office said. Farzam pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Thursday and he is currently being held in custody without bail, the district attorney's office said. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 28, officials said. Farzam's public defender said in court on Thursday that the suspect should be granted bail, according to KABC. "There is not a substantial likelihood that his release would result in great bodily harm to anyone," the public defender said.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After Almost Losing Her Home in the Palisades Fire, Tara Lipinski Found Comfort in This Simple Sleep Ritual (Exclusive)
Tara Lipinski shares details about the emotional aftermath of the Palisades Fire, which damaged her home Currently, her family is staying in a rental home. As they begin to rebuild, Lipinski is embracing a new chapter: one focused on healing, rest and redefining what "home" means That mindset is reflected in her new partnership with Saatva, the official mattress provider of Team USA and the upcoming LA28 OlympicsTara Lipinski is opening up about the heartbreak, perspective and unexpected joys that have emerged in the wake of the Palisades Fire, which upended her family's life earlier this year. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the Olympic gold medalist, 43, spoke candidly about the fear and gratitude she's felt since the devastating blaze. The fires broke out in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 7, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee as flames and smoke swept through the region. On Jan. 9, Lipinski shared a video on her Instagram Stories showing her family — including her 20-month-old daughter, Georgie, and her dog — evacuating their Los Angeles home, which was later damaged by the blaze. "It's definitely put so much in perspective," Lipinski tells PEOPLE over Zoom. "At the end of the day, yes, you have your home, you have material things that hold meaning and sentimental value, but what truly matters is the love of your family and the people in your life." Although the experience was unexpected and overwhelming, Lipinski says she's found peace in life's smaller, everyday moments. "This wasn't what we thought this year would look like," she admits. "But even in the midst of uncertainty, I've found joy in the little things. Whether it's dancing in the living room with my daughter or simply being present with my family, those are the moments that matter. It doesn't matter which living room we're in, as long as we're together and safe." She continues, "From day one, when this happened, I just kept thinking how lucky I am. Every single day I wake up feeling grateful that I have my husband, my daughter, my dog. We're all safe. We got to a safe place, and now we're navigating this transition together." Lipinski also notes that the people in Los Angeles have united in an incredible way since the fires, especially in Altadena and the Palisades, where many are still struggling to recover. "It is a time of rebuilding, but there's still a lot of loss and grief for so many. Everyone's situation is different, but within our community — through all the group chats we have in the Palisades — I feel like this is a time of hope and renewal." "The one thing I take away from it is the neighbors, the community. I love them so much. Almost everything I wear says Palisades or LA Strong, or something that ties back to what I think is one of the brighter lights in this tragic event — the connection and support, how everyone rallies and is there for one another." "It makes me emotional. I'm an emotional person, but when I read messages and see how people go out of their way to help neighbors and friends, it's remarkable." She adds, "What made me most emotional after the fires was seeing people in the neighborhood — and even those outside our immediate community — stepping up to help, giving essentials to those in need. It was incredibly moving to witness how many showed up for all the people affected." Currently, Lipinski's family is staying in a rental home. As they begin to rebuild the parts of their home damaged in the Palisades Fire, Lipinski is embracing a new chapter: one focused on healing, rest and redefining what "home" means. This mindset is reflected in her new partnership with Saatva, the official mattress provider of Team USA and the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Together, they're celebrating the launch of the brand's new Pasadena showroom. "As a new mom, I'm exhausted most of the time," Lipsinki admits. "We're trying to rebuild the comfort items we had for so many years, things that made our home feel like home. Saatva has helped so much with that. I'm doing a new mattress, all new bedding. I'm really excited about creating a new little sanctuary." "Moms are athletes in their own way," she says with a smile. "Rest is essential. When I put Georgie to bed at 7 p.m. last night, I ended up falling asleep right there in her room. I looked at the clock, and it was only 7:30. I was that tired." When it comes to her sleep, she adds how she cherishes the simple nighttime rituals that help her unwind. "I love the ritual of winding down at night, lighting a candle, dimming the lights, and snuggling into bed," she says. "That's my time to recharge. When I get into bed, it feels like a treat. I just want to rest, relax, and hopefully sleep through the night." "I'm always the person who wakes up at 3 or 4 a.m. with my mind racing," she adds. "And then I remind myself, Georgie's asleep. This is my time to rest. That little bit of peace is something I've come to treasure." Read the original article on People
11-07-2025
- Politics
Critics hear differences in Trump's approach to Texas, California disasters: ANALYSIS
Last month, President Donald Trump was asked if his deteriorating relationship with Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom would impact federal support for wildfire recovery efforts. "Will your recent dust-ups with Gov. Newsom impact additional wildfire relief?" a reporter asked Trump at the White House. "Hatred is never a good thing in politics. When you don't like somebody, you don't respect somebody," Trump replied. "It's harder for that person to get money if you're on top. He's done a bad job." It wasn't the first time Trump had suggested withholding federal aid to California after the Palisades Fire. Before he visited Los Angeles, Trump said he wanted to see the state change its water management policies and voter ID laws, in exchange for federal help. Now, six months after the California wildfires, and as Trump heads to Texas on Friday to visit the site of catastrophic flooding, he has offered the federal government's support to Republican-led Texas, without conditions. "We're working with the Governor, it's a terrible thing," Trump told reporters earlier this week. He also avoided casting any blame, calling the devastation a "hundred-year catastrophe, and it's just so horrible to watch." The divergent tone has frustrated some Democrats who believe that the president has injected partisan politics into his public comments about federal disaster relief. "He's made no secret about going after blue states and blue cities," said Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's devastation on the East Coast last fall, Trump was critical of the federal government's response under President Joe Biden, and the state-level response led by then-Gov. Roy Cooper, also a Democrat. Federal officials accused him of spreading"extremely damaging" misinformation about the recovery efforts in the state. Trump was also quick to criticize the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to both disasters, and as president, he has said he wants to "wean off" FEMA and phase out the agency in an effort to shift more responsibility for recovery to states. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., who represents the area of Los Angeles impacted by the fires, told ABC News that Trump's "rhetoric certainly has been different with regards to California versus Texas." However, she also pointed out that Trump visited North Carolina and California just days into his presidency to meet with victims. She and other Democrats also praised the president and the Trump administration for honoring the Biden administration's commitment for the federal government to cover 100% of disaster assistance costs for 180 days, and California has also received $3 billion in federal loan assistance to help small businesses impacted by the wildfires. "FEMA has been going full bore, and the Army Corps of Engineers have done an amazing job, a fantastic job of doing the fastest wildfire cleanup in U.S. history," Chu added. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., who joined Trump on his visit to Southern California, defended Trump's approach to his state's recovery. Trump has "been very clear that he wants to help L.A. rebuild, and also wants to address the failures that helped cause this disaster in the first place," he told ABC News. "We need to have a broader conversation about how we can mitigate fire risk going forward." Kiley also blamed Newsom for contributing to the "politicized" debate around disaster relief. "The governor wants nothing more than to grandstand and to pick a fight with the President," Kiley said. Congress has yet to act on Newsom's $40 billion request to help pay for recovery costs. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters that Capitol Hill would act once lawmakers received a formal request from the Trump administration. "It takes a while to calculate it," Johnson said. "We know that well, of course, with hurricane season and disasters in Louisiana." Some Democrats have called for investigations into whether staffing cuts to federal agencies such as the National Weather Service contributed to the death toll. And while questions about the emergency response and weather preparedness loom over the recovery efforts, nobody has been accused of any wrongdoing that contributed to the disaster. Asked about the impact of the federal cuts on the flooding, Trump on Sunday seemed ready to blame the former president for the situation, before walking it back. "That was really the Biden setup. That was not our setup. But I wouldn't blame Biden for it either," he said. The White House has also pushed back on the criticism of Trump's comments and the suggestion from Democrats that he has treated the states differently. "President Trump has led historic disaster recovery efforts in both California and North Carolina – he's doing the same in Texas," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. "In California the Trump Administration completed the fastest debris removal effort in history to provide much needed assistance to California communities. And the President is leading a transformational recovery of Western North Carolina while the Biden Administration left them behind. Any claim that the President is giving certain states preferential treatment is not only wrong, it's idiotic and misinformed." "FEMA has delivered $132 million in aid, deployed 500 staff, and sheltered 2,800 households," the Department of Homeland Security told ABC News in a statement. The "Small Business Administration approved $3 billion in low-interest loans for 11,633 homes and businesses, with no payments or interest for a year. Under the leadership of Secretary Noem, FEMA and DHS are prioritizing people over politics," the statement continued. Republicans, including some who were critical of California's policies and Newsom amid the California wildfires six months ago, have also called out efforts to politicize the Texas flooding. "One of the things that's predictable is that you see some people engaging in, I think, partisan games, and trying to blame their political opponents for a natural disaster," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told reporters in a news conference earlier this week. Cruz said Trump was very receptive to supporting Texas following the flooding over the weekend. "The president said, 'Ted, anything Texas needs, the answer is yes. Whatever assets you need, whatever resources you need, yes, let us know, and we will provide everything,'" he recalled. Michael Bitzer, a history and politics professor at Catawba College in North Carolina, watched Republicans and Democrats spar over disaster recovery efforts in his own state after Hurricane Helene. "If I had to say it bluntly, it's pure politics," he said of Trump's differing comments about the disasters in the two states. "California didn't vote for him. Texas did." Texas, unlike California, is also led by a Republican governor, Greg Abbott. "When you throw in personalities such as Trump and Newsom, who are naturally going to aggravate the other guy, throw more gasoline onto the fire," he said. Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., who has promoted bipartisan wildfire prevention legislation in the wake of the California wildfires, hoped the administration's policies would continue, and not move in line with his threats to withhold disaster relief to California. "There's sometimes a gap between President Trump's bravado and his actions. And actually, I'm hoping that this is one where, even if he talks in a way that's really cruel, he'll come through for his constituents," Peters said. "Texas has faced this disaster, and as I said, California, we grieve for them and those families, and we want to be compassionate, and as Americans, we want to help each other," he said. "That's all we're asking in California too."
