Free Republic

Desperate one-percenters are dropping small fortunes on private professional fire crews to protect their mansions as California’s most expensive wildfires continue to devour some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Private fire protection companies often contract with state and local governments to help battle wildfires, but in recent years California’s fire firms have begun offering “on call” services, ready to to show up with their own water supplies, trucks, hoses, fire-quenching chemicals, and other industrial-grade equipment. But these heroes-for-hire come with a hefty price tag, with some outfits charging $2,000 an hour for their services, the Daily Mail reported....