Pierre Debbas, managing partner of Romer Debbas, says the economic consequences of California’s wildfires will continue to be an “unfortunate story.”
One of the main differences between public and private fire prevention agencies, both of which provide emergency response services in their local communities, is how they are funded.
They may be hired by communities to provide firefighting services as well as by some insurance companies that offer firefighting services to customers who purchase high-value home insurance policies, according to Frontline Wildfire .
However, they can also be hired by people who want to ensure they have access to firefighting services if a fire breaks out on their property, although their purpose goes beyond just serving the elite.
CALIFORNIA FIRES: ESSENTIAL PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM
These businesses are operating at a time “when public resources are spread too thin,” according to Frontline Wildfire.
In fact, the United States Forest Service frequently uses private fire prevention organizations to suppress wildfires, “because public fire departments alone may not have enough personnel or resources to deal with these natural disasters,” according to Frontline Wildfire.
Plumes of smoke are visible as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025. (DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) currently represents more than 250 private sector contract companies in 28 states, capable of organizing a workforce of approximately 10,000 people during the peak of fire season.
According to the association, private contract resources, including 20-person state and regional fire crews, engines, bulldozers, tenders and other specialized equipment and support services, give agencies the flexibility that they need to increase or decrease their support in a cost-effective manner.
During this time, the contractor covers training, insurance costs, benefits, equipment and transportation.
Bryan Wheelock, vice president of Grayback Forestry, a private firefighting company based in Oregon, told the New York Times that a private fire crew of two people and a small vehicle can cost around $3,000 a day. However, a larger crew of nearly two dozen firefighters and four trucks can earn up to $10,000 per day.
Apartments seen on fire during the Eaton Fire on January 8, 2025. (Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Cotton Holdings founder and co-CEO Pete Bell said their services “vary widely depending on the scope and scale of the project” and fees can vary by a few hundred dollars for smaller projects to several million for vast restoration or reconstruction efforts.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
“Regardless of our size, our commitment is to provide a high quality service to meet the needs of those we support. There’s no ask too small when it comes to supporting our partners,” Bell said.
Cotton Holdings is an infrastructure support services company with various subsidiaries that manage relief, relief and recovery efforts.
However, Leo Grillo, who runs the Delta Rescue animal sanctuary and has his own fire trucks, said there are liability issues when it comes to private firefighters that need to be considered.
View of damaged structures and homes caused by the Palisades wildfires in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 11, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images)
“Private forces are at greater risk. They can only go where they are under contract, and other private property is prohibited,” he said.
