As wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, over **12,000 personnel** have been deployed to combat the flames, including nearly **1,000 incarcerated firefighters** from a collaborative initiative involving the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), CAL FIRE, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD). The ongoing fires have tragically resulted in **at least 11 fatalities**, with officials warning that this number may rise as the situation develops. Approximately **36,000 acres** have been consumed by the flames, prompting extensive evacuation orders affecting nearly **180,000 residents** across the region.
### Incarcerated Firefighters' Role
Incarcerated individuals are participating in firefighting efforts through the **Conservation (Fire) Camp Program**, which has been operational since **1915**. This program allows inmates to volunteer for firefighting duties, providing them with valuable training and potential time credits toward their sentences. As of Friday morning, **939 incarcerated firefighters** were actively engaged in establishing fire lines and clearing fuel around structures to mitigate fire spread. The number of participants has increased significantly from 395 at the beginning of the week as the fires intensified.
### Compensation and Conditions
Participants in this program earn between **$5.80 and $10.24 per day**, with an additional dollar per hour during emergencies. This pay is markedly lower than that of their civilian counterparts, who can earn upwards of **$85,000 annually**. Critics argue that utilizing incarcerated individuals for firefighting equates to exploiting cheap labor, while supporters emphasize the rehabilitative benefits provided by the program.
### Challenges Faced by Incarcerated Firefighters
Despite gaining firefighting skills, many formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to employment post-release. Royal Ramey, a former participant in the program, highlighted the difficulties in securing jobs despite having relevant experience. He founded a nonprofit aimed at assisting others in similar situations to find work in forestry and firefighting. Statistics indicate that graduates of this program have a recidivism rate of just **10%**, compared to California's overall average of **41.9%**.
### Current Fire Situation
The wildfires have been exacerbated by severe weather conditions, including strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity levels. The largest blazes currently threatening communities include the **Palisades Fire**, which has burned over **22,660 acres**, and the **Eaton Fire**, which has destroyed thousands of structures. Evacuation orders remain in effect as firefighters work tirelessly to contain these dangerous fires.
In summary, while incarcerated firefighters play a crucial role in battling the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, they face numerous challenges both during their service and after their release from prison. The juxtaposition of their contributions against their compensation raises important questions about labor practices within emergency response efforts.
JUST IN: Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley turns on Los Angeles leadership, says they failed her.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 10, 2025
Remarkable interview.
Crowley called out the city for having no water in the Santa Ynez Reservoir.
Reporter: "Did the city of Los Angeles fail you and your… pic.twitter.com/fUQPoW32QA