Incarcerated Firefighters Key to LA Wildfire Efforts

In California, nearly 400 incarcerated individuals are assisting in battling the significant wildfires in Los Angeles as part of the state's Conservation Fire Camp Program, making up about 30% of the firefighting force. These inmates are embedded with Cal Fire, working alongside thousands of professional firefighters despite being paid between $26.90 and $34 for 24-hour shifts, which is significantly below California's minimum wage of $16.50 per hour. The program is voluntary, with specific eligibility criteria that exclude those convicted of serious offenses, and has been in place since 1915. It provides inmates the opportunity to gain skills and earn time credits, although they face challenging and hazardous working conditions. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates 35 fire camps statewide, highlighting the critical reliance on inmate labor to support emergency response efforts during increasingly severe fire seasons.