Private Firefighters Draw Criticism as Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles

Wealthy residents hire costly private fire crews to protect homes, raising concerns over class divides and resource distribution.

Private firefighting services, costing up to $2,000 an hour, are being used by affluent Los Angeles homeowners to safeguard properties during ongoing wildfires.
Critics argue that hiring private crews highlights social inequalities, as more than 100,000 residents rely solely on overwhelmed public firefighting resources.
Private fire companies also work under government contracts and with insurance providers, contributing to broader wildfire response efforts beyond individual clients.
The practice of hiring private firefighters has gained attention after real estate executive Keith Wasserman and other wealthy individuals faced backlash for seeking such services publicly.
While private firefighting services are not new, their growing role in wildfire prevention and mitigation underscores tensions over access to emergency resources.