In Los Angeles, a new divide has emerged amid the deadly wildfires sweeping through the city: whether you can afford to hire private firefighters to protect your mansion. With neighborhoods teetering between wealth and poverty, this new trend is stirring anger across the city. The super-rich are willing to pay as much as $10,000 a day for a private firefighting crew to save their homes—while their neighbors’ houses burn to the ground.
Sky-high costs for fire protection
These private firefighting companies usually work with local governments and insurance firms. But now, wealthy homeowners are reaching out directly, willing to pay sky-high fees to secure their properties. A typical two-person crew costs around $3,000 a day, but larger teams can run up to $10,000 daily. Chris Dunn, who owns Covered 6, a private firefighting firm, says his phone “has been ringing off the hook” with desperate calls.
Some clients are even offering “any amount” to save their homes. The highest fees go up to $2,000 per hour. As a result, many of these wealthy homes have massive swimming pools, which private firefighters use to draw water when local hydrants run dry.
Critics slam private firefighting firms
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. The debate over private firefighting is heating up. While some say these firms help alleviate the strain on overwhelmed public services, others argue that they create more problems. Critics claim they’re competing for limited resources like water, and sometimes even blocking public firefighters from doing their jobs.
These companies insist they don’t use public hydrants or resources. They rely on water from clients’ pools and bring their own supplies. But some have admitted that, in extreme cases, they may tap into local water sources, like lakes and ponds, which public services also depend on.
Celebrity homes and private firefighters
Private firefighting companies gained widespread attention in 2018 when one of them saved Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s $50 million mansion during the Woolsey Fire. The couple’s intervention, including digging fire breaks, was credited with saving neighboring homes. Yet, as the fires intensify in LA, anger has built up against the rich and their hired fire crews.
Photos have surfaced showing streets destroyed by flames, with only a few luxury homes spared—often thanks to private firefighters stationed outside. This has led to a backlash against the wealthy and their ability to pay for special treatment.
Public outrage and backlash
Many are now questioning whether the rich should have this privilege while others suffer. Public sentiment has shifted, and the elites are no longer enjoying the same fawning attention they once did. The pandemic, during which many celebrities flaunted their privilege online, only worsened the public’s opinion.
Some high-profile figures have faced heavy criticism after admitting to using private firefighting services. Keith Wasserman, a millionaire property investor, was ridiculed on social media after asking for private firefighters to save his Pacific Palisades home. Critics called him “tone-deaf” and accused him of being out of touch.
Hollywood agent Adam Leber also found himself in hot water after revealing his $6,000-a-year contract with a private firefighting company, All Risk Shield. Leber defended his actions, saying he “did what any human being would do” to protect his family. But many argued that his wealth allowed him to avoid the consequences of natural disasters.
Firefighting unions speak out
The backlash is especially fierce against those using private firms to dodge the impact of the fires. Firefighting unions, such as the California Professional Firefighters, have criticized these private companies. They argue that private firefighters are unqualified to handle city fires, as they’re trained for forest fires instead.
In 2018, California passed regulations to limit the reach of these private firms, banning them from using emergency lights or acting like official fire engines. But the ultra-wealthy are undeterred. Billionaire property developer Rick Caruso called in firefighting crews from Arizona to protect his luxury mall, Palisades Village, from the flames.
The rise of private firefighting
Private firefighters now make up about 45% of the US firefighting workforce, with over 300 companies providing services. Many of them offer fire-prevention measures like sprinkler systems. Others work only during peak wildfire season, earning up to $40,000 for just a few months of work.
Is it fair to buy fire protection?
The public is growing increasingly hostile toward these private companies. Some believe it’s selfish for the rich to use private services when public resources are stretched thin. Yet, it’s hard to fault anyone for trying to save their home when disaster strikes.
As Los Angeles continues to grapple with the growing wildfires, the question remains: should the wealthy be allowed to buy their way out of disaster, or should everyone be subject to the same risks?
