LA Wildfires: Millionaire CEO Sparks Outrage Over Request for Private Firefighters

As devastating LA wildfires continue to wreak havoc in Los Angeles, a post by millionaire Keith Wasserman, founder of Gelt Venture Partners, has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. Wasserman’s plea for private firefighters to save his luxury Pacific Palisades mansion provoked widespread outrage on social media.

The Controversial Post

In his now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Wasserman wrote:
“Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Need to act fast here. All neighbors’ houses are burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you.”

The message came as emergency services were working tirelessly to evacuate residents and combat the raging fires. Facing a swift backlash, Wasserman deleted his account entirely.

Public Reaction

Social media users expressed anger and disbelief over the post, calling it tone-deaf in the midst of a crisis affecting thousands. Some of the reactions included:

• “The disconnect is jaw-dropping. Just wow.”
• “Rich people are so out of touch. This is just disgusting.”
• “Wow. He thinks money can buy everything, even in a disaster zone.”

A few comments veered into inappropriate stereotyping, which further fueled debates about privilege and accountability during public crises.

Current Situation in Los Angeles

The wildfires have caused unprecedented destruction:

• Death Toll: Five people have died due to the fires.
• Evacuations: Over 130,000 residents are under evacuation warnings or orders.
• Structures Burned: More than 1,000 buildings have been destroyed.

Active Fires and Damage

According to reports:

• Palisades Fire: Burned 17,234 acres.
• Eaton Fire: Burned 10,600 acres.
• Hurst Fire: Burned 855 acres.
• Scout, Lidia, and Sunset Fires: Burned 11.7, 348, and 42.8 acres, respectively.

Celebrity Impact

The wildfires have affected several high-profile residents, including actors like Leighton Meester, Adam Brody, and Billy Crystal, whose Pacific Palisades home was destroyed. Paris Hilton described the emotional toll after her beachfront Malibu property was reduced to ashes.

As Los Angeles grapples with these catastrophic wildfires, incidents like Wasserman’s post highlight the growing divide between privilege and the collective struggle of communities during natural disasters. While firefighters and emergency personnel work tirelessly, the need for empathy, solidarity, and responsible action has never been clearer.