As California's costliest wildfires continue to burn through some of Los Angeles' wealthiest neighborhoods, the desperate 1 percent are plowing their small fortunes into private professional fire brigades to save their mansions. There is.
Private fire companies often contract with state and local governments to help fight wildfires, but in recent years, California fire companies have begun offering “on-call” services, using their own water dispensers, trucks, etc. , hoses, and fire extinguishers ready to go. Chemicals and other industrial grade equipment.
But these hero rentals come with a hefty price tag, with some services charging a service fee of $2,000 per hour. every day mail Reported.
Chris Dunn, owner of Covered 6, told the publication that as Hollywood's elite jockeys, the phone is “ringing off and on” offering bespoke services.
San Francisco Chronicle reporter observed Water cannons were installed at one home and the roof continued to flood while experts stayed overnight to monitor for flare-ups.
Other companies spray the landscape with flame retardants or use thick fire-resistant materials on cocoon trees and bushes. According to the LA Times.
But as these companies accumulate cash; The people who hire them are taking heat away from the public. More than 100,000 of them have been forced to evacuate, leaving their homes under the protection of overwhelmed public fire departments.
Anger flared when billionaire real estate investor Keith Wasserman called for civilian firefighters to be connected to save his Pacific Palisades home.
“Can someone hire a private firefighter to protect our home in the Pacific Palisades? We need to act fast here. All the homes in our neighborhood are on fire. We'll pay any amount. Thank you.” ” he posted on his X account, which he later deleted.
One critic commented: “Incredible nerves.” “His family has been evacuated and he is willing to risk his life by hiring a private firefighter to save his home, which is definitely insured. Incredibly tone-deaf.”
“So, because you're wealthy, you should divert potentially life-saving resources (even 'private' ones) to protecting your home while tens of thousands of people are trying to evacuate.” Does that mean? ” said another.
Real estate mogul Rick Caruso, a former water commissioner and outspoken critic of the city's fire response, made similar criticisms online after the fire broke out. The New York Times revealed He, too, says he hired private muscle to protect his home from the flames.
“I wish I had some civilian staff to protect my $2 investment in Brokey. All I got was this broken umbrella and a spray bottle of tap water,” one poster wrote. quipped X.