Wealthy Los Angeles residents, including billionaire developer Rick Caruso, are facing backlash for hiring $2,000-an-hour private firefighters.
The Palisades Fire in California, USA, has engulfed parts of affluent neighborhoods, forcing thousands to evacuate, with critics accusing the rich of prioritizing their assets over community needs.
Some of the wealthiest have reportedly hired $2,000-an-hour private firefighters to save their million-dollar homes and businesses.
Among the rich controversial figures, Keith Wasserman, co-founder of real estate investment firm Gelt Venture Partners, ignited outrage.
Wealthy Los Angeles residents are facing backlash
Taking to his X page (formerly known as Twitter) on January 7, he wrote in a post that has since been deleted: “Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades?
“Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you.”
The billionaire owns a mansion in the wealthy area, as well as an upscale outdoor mall, which he has been trying to protect from raging fires, The Sun reported on Sunday (January 12).
Moreover, a wealthy insider expressed: “This week’s events have shown you can’t trust the city to protect your property. I have the money, so why not?”
The Palisades Fire is a large wildfire currently raging in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, California.
The fire began this month, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds common in the region during wildfire season, which typically peaks in late summer and early autumn.
Originating in a canyon, the blaze has quickly spread over 22,000 acres, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate as emergency crews work to contain it.
Officials have been investigating an electrical transmission tower in Eaton Canyon as the potential origin of the Altadena fire, though the area remains off-limits to all but investigators, The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday.
The Altadena fire, known as the Eaton Fire, is distinct from the Palisades Fire, though both are part of the recent series of wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area.
The Eaton and Palisades fires are likely the second and fourth most destructive in California history
