New Delhi: As wildfires ravage Los Angeles, and public fire departments overwhelmed, wealthy residents are increasingly turning to private firefighting services and are paying as much as $2,000 (around Rs 1.7 lakh) per hour to safeguard their properties.
According to an NDTV report, private firefighting companies offer specialised protection to luxury homes threatened by the raging fire. The affluent areas in and around Los Angeles have witnessed sharp rise in demand for such services. A reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle in a post on social media platform X shared a video showing private firefighters installing sprinklers and spraying water on rooftops in the Hollywood Hills to prevent flare-ups from the Sunset Fire.
Private operators provide tailored services
“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,” Matthias Gafni wrote on X.
These private operators provide tailored services, including spraying fire retardants on houses and wrapping trees in fireproof material, a Los Angeles Times report mentioned.
These private companies deploy crews equipped with hoses, fire-retardant gels, and portable water tanks. Most of the times they partner with insurance companies. A private operator termed it a win-win situation for all: “Homeowners retain their homes, and insurance providers avoid the hefty costs of reconstruction.”
Raging wildfires in LA
The use of private firefighting services has drawn criticism for exacerbating class disparities especially during emergencies. Millionaire property investor Keith Wasserman faced backlash on X after requesting private firefighters to protect his Pacific Palisades mansion. He later deleted the post.
“Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Need to act fast here. All neighbours’ houses are burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you,” Wasserman wrote.
The post provoked outrage, with many criticising the insensitivity and inequality such services create.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the fire has risen to 24, with 16 people still missing. Firefighters are bracing for another round of intense blaze as Santa Ana winds are expected to return today.
