California Inmates Play Critical Role in Battling Historic Los Angeles Wildfires

Nearly 800 incarcerated individuals are working alongside professional firefighters to combat devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, raising questions about pay, safety, and post-release opportunities.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has deployed nearly 800 inmates to assist in fighting multiple wildfires in Los Angeles County, including the massive Palisades Fire, which remains uncontained.
Participants in the CDCR's Conservation Fire Camp Program earn between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, plus $1 per hour during active emergencies, for their voluntary work on the frontlines of disaster response.
Incarcerated firefighters face significant risks, including higher injury rates than professional firefighters, while using tools like chainsaws and axes to create firebreaks and slow fire spread.
Critics argue the program's low wages and limited post-release career opportunities are exploitative, though some former participants highlight the sense of purpose and skill-building the program provides.
The wildfires, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, have destroyed thousands of structures, displaced over 180,000 residents, and resulted in at least 10 confirmed deaths, with emergency efforts ongoing.