'Not out of the woods': Fire-scarred LA braces for another round of dangerous winds

An Altadena family that lost their home in the Eaton Fire are among the many wildfire victims who say they have been victimized by illegal price gouging.

The Skidmore family quickly found refuge at an AirBNB in Pasadena this week after they were displaced by the Eaton Fire. They lost everything.

"My kids are great kids and they've grown up in that house and that was their place and they've lost their place," Warren Skidmore said. "They've lost their little havens they've made for themselves,"

While trying to find more permanent, long-term housing, they noticed the price of their temporary home Airbnb went up 43.2% for the following week. That would be illegal price gouging.

Under California law, during an emergency, businesses are only allowed to increase prices by up to 10 percent.

MORE | Altadena family who lost home in Eaton Fire says Airbnb price rises nearly 50% next week

One Altadena family who lost their home says Airbnb increased their short-term rental by 43.2%, which would be illegal price gouging.

AIR7 has been above Altadena and Pasadena, taking a block-by-block look at damage from the Eaton Fire.

On Tuesday, we were able to get the closest aerial footage we've gotten with full Skymap technology.

AIR7 got its first lower-level look at the fire devastation across Altadena.

The winner of a $2 billion Powerball jackpot is reportedly among the thousands of people who have lost their homes in Southern California wildfires.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, Edwin Castro, the man who bought the winning ticket at a gas station in Altadena, lost one of the three properties he bought with his winnings.

The home, a $3.85 million property in Malibu, was burned to the ground by the Palisades Fire.

His other two homes - a nearly $4 million home in Altadena and a $2.5 million mansion in the Hollywood Hills - were in evacuation zones for the Eaton and Sunset fires, respectively.

Both of those properties were spared.

Los Angeles County officials on Tuesday moved to provide clarity to wildfire victims who applied for relief assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and received a response that said the application was "not approved."

"If the letter says you are 'not approved' for assistance, it does not mean you have been denied assistance. Understanding this letter and any next steps you need to take is critical to move your recovery forward," an explanatory page, titled "Understanding FEMA Determination Letter," said on the official L.A. County Recovers website.

"It is important to read the letter carefully because it will include the amount of money FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of that money," the website said. "The letter will also explain your application status and advise what you need to do to appeal if you do not agree with FEMA's decision."

Officials noted that people with insurance may receive an initial "not approved" decision but that FEMA assistance may nonetheless still be available.

"FEMA may need your insurance determination to be finalized in order to continue processing your application to make sure you are not receiving financial aid for the same damage twice," according to L.A. County Recovers. "By law, FEMA cannot pay for costs related to the wildfires that your insurance already covers."

After 30 days or more have passed since an insurance claim has been filed, if a settlement has not been received, wildfire victims are urged to contact the FEMA helpline at (800) 621-3362. FEMA may be able to provide some initial funds while residents wait for their insurance payout, officials said.

The website also included tips to help FEMA keep applicants on track toward recovery, instructions on how to appeal a FEMA decision, and information about other federal support that may be available.

The agency has received more than 40,000 applications in connection with the Southern California wildfires and has provided more than $8 million in relief, the agency said.