Wealthy residents in Los Angeles are hiring private firefighters to protect their homes from devastating wildfires, sparking outrage among the public.

Los Angeles: Wealthy folks are shelling out big bucks for private firefighters as wildfires rage through the area. It’s wild to think they’re paying $2,000 an hour just to protect their mansions.
These private crews come ready with their own gear, like water trucks and fire retardants. They’re like the superheroes of firefighting, but at a steep price. Chris Dunn, who runs a fire protection company, says his phone is buzzing with calls from the Hollywood elite wanting his services.
One homeowner even had water sprayers on their roof while private firefighters stood guard all night. It’s a whole different level of protection that most people can’t afford.
But here’s the kicker: while these millionaires are hiring their own crews, over 100,000 people have had to evacuate their homes, relying on overwhelmed public firefighters. It’s causing quite a stir.
Real estate investor Keith Wasserman stirred up some serious backlash when he asked for private firefighters to save his home in Pacific Palisades. His post on X (formerly Twitter) didn’t sit well with many, especially since he was trying to hire help while others were fleeing.
Critics were quick to call him out, saying it was tone-deaf to prioritize his mansion over the safety of others. Even Rick Caruso, another wealthy figure, faced heat for hiring private crews to protect his property.
It’s a tough situation, and the divide between the rich and the rest is more apparent than ever during these wildfires.