How Los Angeles Millionaires Are Paying Rs 1.7 Lakh Per Hour to Safeguard Their Homes Amid Deadly Wildfires

As devastating wildfires continue to rage across California, threatening neighborhoods across Los Angeles, some of the wealthiest residents are seeking private firefighting services to protect their multimillion-dollar properties. The ongoing crisis has left local fire departments overwhelmed, leading to the rise of a niche but costly service: private fire protection.

Luxury Firefighting Services: A Growing Trend in Los Angeles

In the wake of the destructive fires sweeping through the region, wealthy homeowners are reportedly paying as much as $2,000 (approximately Rs 1.7 lakh) per hour for exclusive firefighting teams. These private crews are hired to defend high-value homes from the encroaching flames by offering a variety of protective services.

Chris Dunn, the head of a private security company that provides these services, shared that the demand for private firefighting has surged as the wildfires continue to intensify. The private teams work around the clock, using fire retardants, water tanks, hoses, and other tools to protect luxury estates from damage.

A recent report from a San Francisco Chronicle journalist described a private firefighting team working tirelessly to protect a Hollywood Hills mansion from the Sunset Fire. The team worked through the night, setting up sprinklers and applying water to the home’s roof to prevent flare-ups.

What Private Firefighters Do: Services Provided

The private firefighting companies offer a range of specialized services to protect homes from wildfires. These include spraying fire retardant on the surrounding landscape, covering trees with fireproof materials, and using water tanks to fight off advancing flames. One such company, Torgerson’s Wildfire Defense Systems, provides firefighters who carry their own equipment, including fire-retardant gel and hoses, to help homeowners preserve their properties.

Torgerson’s Wildfire Defense Systems also partners with insurance companies to offer a dual benefit. If private firefighters succeed in saving a home, homeowners retain their property, and insurance firms avoid paying for the reconstruction costs. This mutually beneficial arrangement has made the service even more popular among affluent residents who want to protect their luxury estates during these times of crisis.

Controversy Surrounding Private Firefighting

While private firefighting services have provided peace of mind for many affluent individuals, the practice has not come without controversy. Critics argue that the use of such services deepens the divide between the rich and the rest of society, particularly when public services are overwhelmed by the scope of the fires.

In particular, the public backlash against property investors like Keith Wasserman has been significant. Wasserman faced heavy criticism after he publicly sought private firefighting services for his own home during the wildfires, a move that many saw as out of touch with the ongoing crisis that affected everyone in the community.

Billionaire Rick Caruso, a former water commissioner and real estate developer, also attracted attention when it was revealed he hired private firefighters to defend his mansion during the fires. In addition, celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have acknowledged using private firefighters to protect their estates during previous fires, further highlighting the growing trend among the wealthy to shield their homes from nature’s fury.

The Impact of the Wildfires on Los Angeles

The fires have been catastrophic for the Los Angeles area. As of now, at least 24 people have tragically lost their lives, and over 12,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The fires have forced the evacuation of more than 100,000 people, and the economic losses are expected to be staggering, ranging between $135 billion and $150 billion.

These numbers reflect the severity of the crisis, but they also underscore the disparity in resources available to different groups. While private firefighting services provide protection for those who can afford it, public services are stretched thin, facing the enormous task of saving lives and homes on a massive scale.

The Growing Divide: Should Wealthy Residents Pay for Protection?

As the fires continue to burn and the damage mounts, a crucial question is emerging: is it fair for the wealthiest Angelenos to pay for private firefighting services, while the public fire departments struggle to keep up with the demand? The use of private services during times of crisis exposes the deepening divide between the affluent and the general population.

The issue is not just one of privilege but of fairness in times of disaster. With public safety services stretched to their limits, should those who have the financial means to do so be able to "buy" their safety, while others are left to rely solely on the overwhelmed emergency services?

Conclusion: A Growing Concern Amidst Ongoing Destruction

As the wildfires continue to affect California, the growing trend of wealthy residents hiring private firefighting services raises important questions about equity and fairness during a time of widespread disaster. While these services offer protection and peace of mind to the rich, they also highlight the challenges faced by the public firefighting forces, who are left to manage the crisis on a much larger scale.

With the fires continuing to wreak havoc on both lives and property, the debate over the use of private firefighting services is likely to continue, as California grapples with the long-term impact of the fires on both its residents and its economy.