Wealthy homeowners in California are increasingly investing in personal fire hydrants to protect themselves from the growing threat of wildfires.
This trend has seen the unlikely property emerge as a new status symbol in posh neighborhoods like Malibu, with real estate agents even claiming they can sell homes faster because they “assuage anxiety” Wall Street Journal reported.
Personal fire hydrants are connected to municipal water systems or private tanks and provide an immediate source of water in the event of a fire.
Some homeowners choose to install such a device as an extra safety measure, while others have no choice because their home is in a remote area.
The increasing demand for this component reflects growing concerns about the frequency and severity of wildfire outbreaks.
In the 2000s, U.S. wildfires were four times as large, three times as frequent and significantly more widespread than in the previous two decades, researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder found.
California has seen nine of the 10 largest wildfires in state history in the past decade, with fire rates increasing by 400 percent.
In addition to personal fire hydrants, many homeowners are investing in advanced sprinkler systems and fire-safe roofing, and are removing flammable landscaping to protect their property.
Wealthy homeowners are increasingly investing in personal fire hydrants to protect themselves from the growing threat of wildfires. To the right of the driveway, a yellow fire hydrant can be seen in the listing for a $14.995 million home in Westlake Village, California
Some real estate agents even claim that mentioning personal fire hydrants in marketing materials could help homes sell faster
Developer Michael Owens has highlighted a yellow personal fire hydrant located on the driveway in a mention for a $14.995 million five-bedroom property called High Knoll Estate in Westlake Village, California.
He told the Journal: “I certainly didn’t try to hide it. It’s a selling point. It soothes the fear.”
The idea is that if there are not enough firefighters to protect entire areas in the event of a widespread disaster, fire hydrants can help homeowners protect their own property and reduce the toll of destruction.
However, they are not cheap to install. The hydrant itself cost approximately $20,000 and there was an additional one-time fee of $35,000 to the local water company and fire department to ensure it complied with regulations.
But that’s just the fire hydrant. The entire system – including permits, design, a concrete foundation for the tank and a retaining wall – can run costs into the six figures.
Victoria Waldorf, the listing agent for a house with five bedrooms and three bathrooms at 4,691 square feet and priced at $1.775 million in Agua Dulce, California, she said she also highlights the personal fire hydrant to any potential buyer during showings.
“There’s relief in people’s faces,” she told the Journal.
In conversation with DailyMail.com: John McNicholasa California-based real estate agent at Compass, said, “While it may seem excessive to pay for all this fire protection, if you own a property worth between $10 million and $50 million, it’s only a fraction of what it costs. would cost to rebuild the house in the event of a total loss.’
“Because these properties are so valuable, it really becomes a form of protection of wealth and assets,” he added.
Fire hydrants are completely legal, but homeowners must comply with strict National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations – from the size of the hydrants to how far they should be from the water main.
Fire hydrants can not only increase a property’s value and increase its appeal to buyers, but can also help reduce insurance premiums.
In California, however, homes in high-risk wildfire areas often face challenges securing traditional insurance coverage.
Pictured: Installation and maintenance of private fire hydrants
Installing a private fire hydrant is legal but expensive, costing up to $20,000 (photo: $1.775 million in Agua Dulce, California, listed with Victoria Waldorf)
A private fire hydrant can increase property values and possibly reduce insurance premiums
Portable fire pumps, which draw water from sources such as swimming pools, are also gaining popularity.
According to Arizton Advisory & Intelligence, the portable fire pump market is expected to grow 3.76 percent annually between 2024 and 2032.
Meanwhile, the global fire hose market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.85 percent between 2022 and 2028, with fire nozzles in North America increasing by 5.68 percent.
McNicholas emphasized that private fire hydrants must be part of a broader fire protection strategy.
“One of the biggest risks to homes during a fire is coal ignition,” he explained. ‘Embers can easily slide under roof tiles or eaves, causing the entire structure to catch fire. Wildfire embers are particularly dangerous, and many fire prevention strategies aim to mitigate this threat.”
While installing a fire hydrant on your property can significantly assist firefighters in gaining access to water to defend your home, McNicholas said proactive measures such as using metal roofs, metal window frames and specialized sprinkler systems can provide more robust protection against ember ignition .
Another important aspect is the landscaping.
“Ensuring that there is a good distance between the house and any trees or shrubs is also an important aspect of protecting the house, creating what is called a defensible space barrier,” said McNicholas.
‘I often advise my clients on these prevention methods when selecting properties that are in a high fire zone.’
Meanwhile, Greg Anderson, chief of Fire Engineering and Investigations for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, emphasized that private fire hydrants must be accessible for fire department use.
Pictured: The Franklin Fire burns next to power lines on the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu, California during the morning of December 11, 2024
Proactive measures such as the use of metal roofs, metal window frames and specialized sprinkler systems can provide more robust protection against ember ignition
“We are not recommending that homeowners stay behind and fight the fire,” Anderson told the Wall Street Journal.
“It is of utmost importance to save your life and evacuate when requested. Houses and things can be replaced.’
Just this month, mass evacuations were underway in celebrity-populated Malibu when a fast-spreading wildfire caused widespread damage.
The blaze, which started late on a Monday evening, spread to as much as four square miles, with more than 15,000 firefighters deployed to battle the intense blaze.