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alifornia Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on January 14 to shield fire victims in the Los Angeles area from predatory land speculators. The order aims to prevent greedy developers from taking advantage of vulnerable communities during a time of crisis.

    Newsom expressed concern that families affected by wildfires are being targeted with unsolicited and undervalued offers for their property, often while their homes were still burning. He stated that these practices would not be tolerated, especially in working-class neighborhoods like Altadena, which has been severely impacted by the Eaton Fire.

    The executive order prohibits unsolicited lowball offers to purchase property from residents in specified LA County zip codes for three months. It also directs state agencies to inform the public about their rights and provide resources for reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.

    This measure is modeled after a similar order issued by Hawaii Governor Josh Green in response to wildfires that devastated Lahaina and surrounding areas last August. California's executive order is designed to preserve local communities and protect residents from exploitation during times of crisis.