As fires burn, private firms and personal effort step in where California officials fail

Private firefighting efforts have a long history in the United States .

The J. Paul Getty Museum prepared its grounds and buildings to be fire-resistant.

Hiring private firefighting companies is cheaper than paying to rebuild neighborhoods.

It's also more cost-effective than many public departments.

Many private companies that respond to wildfires now work for insurers.

California has the fifth highest state and local tax burden in the country.

But few of these residents asked to shoulder the responsibility and expense of patrolling their neighborhoods and fighting fires.

California officials demonstrated they're incapable of delivering the services they promised and for which they charge high prices.

Faced with the necessity of providing for themselves, people have been hard-working and creative.