DRE Reups LA Wildfire Resources and Recovery Efforts Six Months Post Fires

Published: July 9, 2025

As the six-month mark of the Los Angeles wildfires approaches this week, the Department of Real Estate (DRE) continues to support those impacted and reminds those affected of the ongoing resources available.

Consumer Protection Efforts

On Jan. 14, 2025, California Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-25, barring predatory investors from making unsolicited undervalue offers to buy land from people impacted by the firestorms. As a result of the Executive Order, the DRE published a public notice on our public website urging LA property owners to report unsolicited offers to buy their property under fair market value to DRE. The notice details the executive order, how the public can submit complaints, what an unsolicited offer is, what the fraudulent practices could look like, and other relevant resources. DRE also translated the notice into Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. All versions are available on our website.

Members of the public can report this predatory activity that seeks to take advantage of those impacted by disaster by emailing DRE at LAFires@dre.ca.gov. An online form is also available at DRE's Los Angeles Wildfires Updates webpage. DRE consistently amplified key messages within the public notice on social media channels and with partners to increase consumer awareness on this fraudulent practice.

Sharing Resources

DRE created the DRE Los Angeles Wildfire Updates webpage, a page for those impacted by the Los Angeles area fires that directs to information and resources for homeowners and residents. This includes information on reporting unsolicited offers under market value, price gouging, and other resources that may be of interest.

Prioritizing Consumer Complaints

In alignment with its mission of consumer protection, DRE is a primary State agency gathering complaints around unsolicited offers to purchase property under fair market value. As of June 27, the DRE has fielded 62 email messages and 3 telephone calls with consumer complaints on real estate-related issues resulting from the Los Angeles fires.

Targeted Outreach

DRE researched and contacted more than 40 LA area media organizations in February, including small community publications and ethnic media in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and other nearby cities, to promote DRE's public notice on reporting low-ball unsolicited offers for properties impacted by LA wildfires.

DRE sent a letter and social media toolkit to more than 190 real estate associations, plus more than 40 partners and community groups in the fire-impacted areas, to raise awareness on how to report low-ball unsolicited offers for properties impacted by LA wildfires. The package included draft posts, social media graphics, infographics, and links to DRE's public notice. DRE encouraged partners to share this information with constituents.

For resources for those impacted or to learn more about DRE's LA Wildfires response efforts, visit: https://www.dre.ca.gov/consumers/LAWildfireUpdate.html. For comprehensive Statewide wildfire resources, please visit: https://www.ca.gov/LAFires/.