FIRE & FURY
LA’s rich & famous hiring $2,000-an-hour private firefighters to protect million-dollar homes & businesses sparking fury
One billionaire who asked social media for help from private firefighters hit back at those criticizing him
LA'S rich and famous are hiring $2,000-an-hour private firefighters to save their million-dollar homes and businesses as the wildfires rage on.
As the flames continue to force thousands out of their homes, some celebs and billionaires have sparked backlash for their "tone-deaf" move to save their investments.
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Keith Wasserman, co-founder of real estate investment firm Gelt Venture Partners, provoked fury after a post on X, in which he asked for "private firefighters" to protect his land in the A-list neighbourhood of the Pacific Palisades.
The region has been devastated by the ongoing inferno with emergency services still struggling to contain the fires there.
Keith's post on Friday read: "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."
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The billionaire owns a mansion in the wealthy area, as well as an upscale outdoor mall, which he is trying to protect from raging fires.
Social media users criticized Keith, slamming his call for help as "incredibly tone deaf".
Commenter Sam Vance wrote: "Incredible nerve. His family is evacuated and he's trying to hire private firefighters to risk their lives to save a home he most certainly has insured.
"Incredibly tone deaf."
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User Renny added: "So you're suggesting that potentially lifesaving resources (even if 'private') should be diverted to save your house because you're rich while tens of thousands of people try to evacuate?"
Keith hit back at those commenting on his post online dubbing them "trolls".
Billionaire developer and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso is also receiving backlash online after it was reported that had hired private fire crews to protect his properties in the Palisades Village.
Terrified residents stuck in gridlock as LA inferno surrounds celeb enclave
Rick served two stints as president of the Department of Water and Power and owns a mansion in the area as well as a luxury mall.
He confirmed that he had a team of private firefighters deployed in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday night to protect his retail space but that water was in short supply.
This outraged many who believed that water supplies were not being fairly disrupted to help save people's lives and homes in the area with some online calling for an investigation to be launched.
On Wednesday, a video shared to X showed private firefighters guarding a home, and using sprinklers to fight the flames.
San Francisco Chronicle investigative reporter Matthias Gafni said: "They've set up sprinklers to cascade water from the second story eaves."
It comes as:
- At least 13 people still missing with four blazes out of control
- Residents got trapped in gridlock traffic trying to escape
- First details of victims in LA wildfires emerge
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make surprise LA appearance
- Former Aussie child actor tragically killed in wildfire
- A-lister celebs battled to get rooms in LA
She also noted that the crew were expected to guard the home all night to protect the owner's property.
Company Covered 6, who offer fire protection services and safety training to the Hollywood elite, revealed that they had been inundated with calls.
Owner Chris Dunn told the : "My phone has been ringing off the hook. Demand has never been higher."
One wealthy source said: "This week’s events have shown you can’t trust the city to protect your property.
However, some have argued that if the city cannot be trusted to protect people, then celebs have every right to seek private support.
The source added: "I have the money, so why not?"
Private firefighters are not uncommon in LA with Kim Kardashian admitting that her home in Hidden Hills California was saved by private crews in the 2013 wildfires.
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In 2019, private firefighting companies started offering "on-call" wildfire protection to wealthy Californians in the face of increasing blazes of greater intensity.
In 2023, the Los Angeles Times reported that some private crews were failing to coordinate with local agencies.
This meant that first responders were left having to worry about private crews as well as the residents in threatened areas.
Strict water-conserving measures have been in place since 2022, with residents restricted to watering their gardens twice a week for eight minutes at a time.
Kim has been fined previously for going over her water allowance in 2022, by using 232,000 gallons of water more than her allocation.
Other celebrities including Sylvester Stallone and comedian Kevin Hart were also fined.
It has since been noted that Kim has since installed water-saving measures.
One neighbor of Ms Kardashin said: "Everyone was told to cut back on water precisely for this situation, to preserve it to fight fires.
"They carried on watering because they could afford the fines."
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LA DEVASTATION
This comes as the devastating fires continue to rip through Los Angeles, displacing thousands and resulting in unseen damage to the area.
Some 153,000 LA residents are now under mandatory evacuation orders as wind gusts as high as 80mph are set to hit in the next few days - making it even more difficult to contain the blazes.
The wildfires are thought to have killed at least 16 people so far.
Four wildfires are currently burning around Los Angeles with two of to others now being described as contained.
The Palisades fire is the biggest of all and has so far burned down 22,660 acres of land destroying more than 5,316 structures.
Firefighters have only been able to contain 11 per cent of the fire, according to the LA Fire Department.
High winds have caused the Palisades Fire in Southern California to spread towards the east.
LA's fire chief Kristin Crowley said last night saw a "significant flare up" in parts of the Palisades Fire tragedy.
The chief added that "we will be facing another critical weather event" due to the high winds as the flames continue to starch the region.
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Authorities have now turned previous evacuation warnings into mandatory orders, urging people to leave the area from Sunset Boulevard north to Encino Reservoir.
High winds have caused the Palisades Fire in Southern California to spread towards the east.
LA's fire chief Kristin Crowley said last night saw a "significant flare up" in parts of the Palisades Fire tragedy.
Affluent residents of Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood are now desperately looking for a way out as the fire approaches the area.
Thousands of locals have been ordered to evacuate immediately.
The nearby Sunset Boulevard has started to overflow with escaping motorists as long queues are starting to form on the busy roads.
Brentwood is one of the poshest areas of LA - known for its large homes and celebrity residents.
Celebrities including Lebron James, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jennifer Garner have homes in the area.
Their residences are all now under threat.
American politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr also lives in Brentwood in his $6.6million home, while Vice President Kamala Harris also has a home in the area.
The Getty Centre - an iconic $1.3billion art gallery - is also within the evacuation zone.
The nearby Sunset Boulevard has started to overflow with escaping motorists as long queues are starting to form on the busy roads.
Prevent looting
A 6pm to 6am curfew has been imposed in the worst-hit areas to prevent looting.
Looters dressing as firefighters are storming residential areas in the wake of the tragedy.
Members of the National Guard — the equivalent of the UK’s Army Reserve — have been drafted in to help enforce it.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said 22 people had so far been arrested for curfew violations, trespassing, burglary and looting.
He said yesterday that it was unclear how the blazes began and urged the public to get in touch if they have useful information.
He added: “We are not going to leave any rock unturned if this is a criminal act . . . everything is absolutely on the table.”
Mayor Karen Bass said she condemns criminal "predators" who are using the fires to take advantage of others.
Authorities are now working alongside the FBI as investigations continue over the wildfires.
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Meanwhile, LA County officials have declared a health emergency - warning people that wildfire smoke and particulate matter could pose immediate and long-term threats.
People have been advised not to leave their houses and wear masks if needed.
Fires and strong winds have "severely degraded air quality... posing immediate and long-term risks to public health", a statement read.
The devastating fires are set to have a costly impact on the city and its residents - with private forecaster Accuweather estimating the total damage and economic loss up to $150 billion.
Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed over 1,400 firefighters, with additional teams arriving from neighbouring states, but the battle to contain the flames is far from over.
He has also called for an independent investigation after firefighters complained about dropping water pressure in many hydrants across the city.
Victims of LA wildfires
AT least 16 people have been killed so far in the devastating wildfires ripping through LA, according to the official death count.
Here is what we know about them:
Rory Callum Sykes
Brit-born Sykes, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it caught fire from flying embers.
Skyes' death was confirmed by his mum Shelley who said he was a "wonderful" son.
Shelley said she tried to put out the embers that landed on the roof of the 17-acre property with a hose but the water supply was turned off.
She was forced to drive a quarter mile to find first responders after she failed to connect through 911.
Firefighters told her that Skyes died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Anthony and Justin Mitchell
Anthony was a 67-year-old great-grandfather of 10 who tragically died in his Altadena home.
His son Justin Mitchell also died.
Justin's older brother - also called Anthony - told NBC News: "He probably could have gotten himself out but he wasn't going to leave my brother.
"He really loved his kids."
Rodney Kent Nickerson
Rodney, 83, also died in his Altadena home shortly after he reassured his family members that he would be fine.
His daughter Kimiko Nickerson told KCAL News: "My son tried to get him to leave, and my neighbours and myself and he said he'll be fine, I'll be here when you guys come back.
"And he said his house would be here."
Victor Shaw
Victor Shaw, 66, was trying to protect his decades-old family home when he was tragically killed in the Eaton Fire.
Sister Shari Shaw, told ABC News that he died in a "heroic act" and that his body was found with a water hose still in his hand.
She said: "I can't imagine what he might have been thinking, how he might have been so frightened.
"And I couldn't be here, I couldn't be here to save him. I couldn't be here, that's what hurts the most."
The governor has received severe backlash over the handling of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
The most prominent criticism came from Donald Trump who blamed Newsomn for failing to contain the fires.
He again wrote on social media today: "The fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out."
Satellite pictures have revealed whole blocks of homes in Los Angeles have been burned to rubble by the wildfires.
The snaps show before, during, and after the uncontrolled blazes have burned through LA homes and celebrity enclaves and caused thousands to flee.
Some of those homes belong to celebrities, with Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, Miles Teller, and Anthony Hopkins among those to lose their abodes.
HOLLYWOOD CELEBS
The wind-fuelled flames haven't spared the homes of the rich and famous with Hollywood A-listers tragically seeing their houses turned to smouldering rubble.
This includes supermodel Bella Hadid, Spencer Pratt and Oscar winner Mel Gibson.
Other celebrities like Tom Hanks, 68, and Steven Spielberg, 78, had their homes narrowly spared in the fires.
A former Aussie child actor was tragically killed in the devastating wildfires after his mum failed to save him due to water shortage.
Brit-born Rory Callum Sykes, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it caught fire from flying embers.
Mum Shelley said she tried to put out the embers that landed on the roof of the 17-acre property with a hose but the water supply was turned off.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance in Los Angeles to meet the victims of the devasting wildfires.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also served food and donated toys and essential supplies to the victims outside the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena.
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'War zone' LA feels 'broken' as fires still ravage the city - but we will rebuild
The U.S. Sun's Assistant Editor for Exclusives Katy Forrester is an LA resident and she witnessed first-hand the horror as flames engulfed the city. She said the city feels like a "war zone
EVERY year Los Angeles braces itself for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames torching the hills and even houses burning to the ground.
But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s nowhere near over.
I spent time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to give them access to their properties as roads were blocked off.
“Everything is gone” was heard many times, as thousands of people were left homeless and with few possessions.
I was lucky to only have the power go out in my home, but I’ll never forget what I witnessed traveling throughout the city.
It was like a war zone.
During a visit to a shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is battling cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.
It was only when flames began leaping around his building that he finally gathered his belongings and ran out.
I reported from Altadena, where buildings were still engulfed in flames, and few fire trucks were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.
Cars and school buses were completely torched, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, not being able to process what had happened.
As the sun went down, I drove back home towards the city center, which I felt was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.
I felt sick. I’ve never known wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly, phones were blaring with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.
Traffic lights and street lamps were out, and areas filled with fallen trees from the strong winds became gridlocked.
I feel extremely lucky I live minutes outside of the evacuation zone, but friends panicked and fled their homes.
Although many worldwide will merely shrug when they hear wealthy people have lost their homes, the reality is very different.
The city as a whole feels broken, everyone from single mothers to elderly people have been through hell.
And people are angry.
Dozens have spoken of their insurance policies being canceled just months before the fires, while others are reeling over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
They may be angry. But they are also hopeful. The people of Los Angeles are made of strong stuff.
We will get through this. And we will rebuild.
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