Desperate to save their homes, Los Angeles millionaires are turning to private fire crews to protect their properties, shelling out small fortunes in an effort to keep them from being consumed by California's costliest wildfires.
While private fire protection companies are often contracted by state and local governments to assist in wildfire mitigation, California's private fire crews have begun offering their exclusive services to private citizens in recent years.
According to the Daily Mail, some companies charge $2,000 per hour to show up with their own array of firefighting equipment, including their own trucks, hoses, water supplies, and fire-suppressing chemicals.
Chris Dunn, owner of Covered 6, told the outlet that his phone has been "ringing off the hook" as Hollywood A-listers scramble to retain his services.
San Francisco Chronicle reporter Matthias Gafni reported that one Hollywood Hills home was being guarded from the Sunset Fire by private firefighters who have "set up sprinklers to cascade water from the second story eaves," adding that the professionals "will guard all night."
The Los Angeles Times found that other firms spray fire retardant on trees and brush to stop a fire from advancing and protect homes by wrapping them in a "fire blanket system."
But private fire companies hired by homeowners have been criticized for highlighting class divides during an emergency.
The New York Post reported that real estate investor Keith Wasserman incited outrage online when he put out a call on X for help finding private firefighters to save his home.
"Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades?" Wasserman wrote in the now-deleted post. "Need to act fast here. All neighbors' houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you."
Critics were quick to skewer Wasserman in the comments, with one writing, "Incredible nerve."
"His family is evacuated and he's trying to hire private firefighters to risk their lives to save a home he most certainly has insured," the user said. "Incredibly tone deaf."
"So you're suggesting that potentially lifesaving resources (even if 'private') should be diverted to save your house because you're rich while tens of thousands of people try to evacuate?" another asked.
Billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso, who is a former water commissioner, faced similar blowback after The New York Times reported that he had also hired private fire crews to protect his home and a shopping center he owns from going up in flames.
"Our property is standing," Caruso told the Times on Wednesday. "Everything around us is gone. It is like a war zone."
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