As wildfires continue to devastate California, threatening upscale neighborhoods in Los Angeles, affluent residents are turning to private firefighting services to protect their homes. With public fire departments stretched thin, some of the wealthiest individuals are reportedly paying up to $2,000 (approximately Rs 1.7 lakh) per hour for specialized fire protection.
Reports indicate that these private firefighting teams are hired to shield luxury properties from encroaching flames. Chris Dunn, the owner of a private security company, noted that demand for such services skyrocketed amid the crisis.
A journalist from the San Francisco Chronicle recently shared a report, stating, “Private firefighters guard this Hollywood Hills house from #SunsetFire. They’ve set up sprinklers to cascade water from the second-story eaves. They will guard all night.”
Private firefighters guard this Hollywood Hills house from #SunsetFire. They’ve set up sprinklers to cascade water from the second story eaves. They will guard all night. pic.twitter.com/Wj9fIocM1y
— Matthias Gafni (@mgafni) January 9, 2025
These services include spraying fire retardant on landscapes or wrapping trees with fireproof material, according to The Los Angeles Times. One such company, Torgerson’s Wildfire Defense Systems, deploys crews equipped with hoses, fire-retardant gel, and water tanks.
The company collaborates with insurance providers to protect policyholders’ properties opting for these premium services. The founder of Torgerson’s noted that if the private firefighters successfully save a home, both homeowners and insurance firms benefit — the homeowners retain their property, and insurers avoid costly payouts for reconstruction.
However, the practice of hiring private firefighters has drawn criticism for deepening class divisions during times of crisis. Recently, property investor Keith Wasserman faced backlash after he attempted to hire private firefighters to protect his property, with the post later deleted from X (formerly Twitter).
Billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso also attracted criticism after it was revealed he used private firefighting services for his estate. The New York Times reported that Caruso employed these crews to safeguard his residence.
In 2018, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West publicly acknowledged the role of private firefighters in saving their mansion in the Santa Monica Mountains from a wildfire, as reported by TMZ.
At least 24 fatalities have been reported due to the fires around Los Angeles, and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed. Over 100,000 people have been evacuated, with estimated damages ranging from $135 billion to $150 billion.
