2 hours ago
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Desperate one-percenters are dropping small fortunes on private professional fire crews to protect their mansions as California’s most expensive wildfires continue to devour some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Private fire protection companies often contract with state and local governments to help battle wildfires, but in recent years California’s fire firms have begun offering “on call” services, ready to to show up with their own water supplies, trucks, hoses, fire-quenching chemicals, and other industrial-grade equipment.
But these heroes-for-hire come with a hefty price tag, with some outfits charging $2,000 an hour for their services, the Daily Mail reported.
Chris Dunn, owner of Covered 6, told that outlet his phone has been “ringing off the hook” as the Hollywood elite jockey for his bespoke services.
A reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle observed one home outfitted with water sprayers continually drenching the roof as specials stood by all night, watching for flare-ups.
Other firms spray the landscape with fire retardant and cocoon trees and bushes in thick fireproof materials, according to the LA Times.
But as these companies rack up cash, the ones who hire them are taking heat from ordinary folk — more than 100,000 of whom have been forced to flee, leaving their houses under the protection of the overwhelmed public fire department.
Millionaire real estate investor Keith Wasserman ignited a blaze of outrage when he put out a call for someone to connect him with private firefighters to save his house in the Pacific Palisades.
“Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Need to act fast here. All neighbors’ houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you,” he posted to his X account, which he later deleted.
“Incredible nerve,” commented one critic. “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. 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?” said another.
Real estate mogul Rick Caruso, a former water commissioner and outspoken critic of the city’s fire response, took similar heat online after the New York Times revealed that he, too, had hired private muscle to protect his home from the flames.
“Wish I had private crews to protect my $2 investment in brokie. All I got is this broken umbrella and a spray bottle filled with tap water,” one poster quipped on X.
English (US)