The Reason Why More Than 800 Inmates Are Being Deployed to Assist in Battling the L.A. Fires
Inmates volunteering to fight the Los Angeles wildfires are paid a daily wage ranging from $5.80 to $10.24, with an additional $1 per hour when responding to active fires or related emergencies, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
As the catastrophic wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles and its surroundings, help has arrived in the form of hundreds of incarcerated individuals.
Firefighters and emergency responders have been working relentlessly to contain the flames and assist residents who have lost their homes.
To bolster these efforts, the CDCR has enlisted more than 800 inmates who volunteered to help, as reported by ABC News.
These volunteers joined the state’s Conservation (Fire) Camps program, where they were trained to support the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
By Friday, January 10, 939 fire camp firefighters, including 110 support staff, were actively working to create fire lines and remove fuel to slow the spread of the flames, the CDCR confirmed.
CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber explained the decision to involve inmates in firefighting efforts: “Wildfires are an ongoing and significant challenge for California.
CDCR fire camps remain committed to aiding the state’s response.
The contributions of our incarcerated firefighters and staff are vital to this mission, and their dedication to safeguarding lives and property during these crises is invaluable.”
The CDCR operates over 30 fire camps across California, where inmates are trained in firefighting skills and techniques, as well as in responding to floods and other disasters.
Inmates volunteering for these efforts receive a daily wage, which varies between $5.80 and $10.24.
Additionally, they earn $1 per hour when actively engaged in firefighting or emergency response. Crews can work up to 24-hour shifts during emergencies and are compensated during rest periods.
Since January 7, multiple wildfires have been burning across the region, including the largest and most destructive fire in Pacific Palisades, along with others in Eaton, Woodley, Tyler, and Kenneth.
On January 10, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that at least 10 people have died due to the fires, and over 30,000 residents have been displaced.
Thousands of structures have also been damaged.
Fire officials recently stated that these wildfires are the most devastating firestorm in the city’s history.
