Inmates Fight L.A. Wildfires

As wildfires rage across Los Angeles, various personnel are assisting in the firefighting efforts. Incarcerated individuals are among those battling the blazes, working through a collaborative effort involving the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), CAL FIRE, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD).

The current wildfire situation has resulted in at least [number] fatalities, according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office. L.A. Sheriff Robert Luna stated that, unfortunately, the death toll is expected to climb. The extent of the destruction is significant; as of Saturday morning, [amount] of land has been devastated.

By Friday morning, 939 incarcerated firefighters were working continuously, creating firebreaks and clearing fuel around structures to impede fire spread, according to a CDCR statement to TIME. This includes 110 support staff members.

Here’s comprehensive information about the involvement of inmates in the L.A. fire suppression efforts.

Incarcerated firefighters have been working throughout the week

Incarcerated firefighters have been at the forefront of combating numerous wildfires in Los Angeles County and Southern California since the beginning of the week. On Wednesday, the CDCR deployed 395 incarcerated firefighters. This number increased to approximately 783 the following day, with an additional 88 support staff members. By Friday morning, nearly 1,000 program participants were actively fighting the fires.

Understanding the program—and its benefits for firefighters

These incarcerated firefighters participate in the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program—a joint venture between CDCR, Cal Fire, and LACFD.

Camp participants assist state, local, and federal agencies in responding to various emergencies, including fires, floods, and other natural or man-made disasters, according to the [source].

Inmates must apply for the program; participation is voluntary. According to the CDCR, no one is forced to work in a fire camp, and there are no disciplinary consequences for declining participation.

Participants earn “time credits.” Most firefighters receive two days off their sentence for each day served, while support staff receive one-for-one credit.

The program originated in 1915, with modern inmate training at camps starting during World War II.

Currently, fire crew members earn between $5.80 and $10.24 per day from CDCR, plus an additional $1 per hour during emergencies from CAL FIRE. This is significantly less than their non-incarcerated counterparts (LACFD starting salaries are around $85,000).

In recent years, camp sizes have [changed], due to prison reform efforts and overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, incarcerated firefighters comprised about 30% of California’s firefighting workforce; afterward, [changed], according to The Nature Conservancy.

The inherent risks of the job

While the CDCR highlights the potential for post-release firefighting employment, program graduates often face challenges securing jobs despite their training and experience.

Royal Ramey, a formerly incarcerated individual who participated in the program in 2012, experienced this firsthand after his release in 2014.

He explains the difficulties formerly incarcerated individuals face in finding employment after release.

Now, Ramey co-founded the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP), a nonprofit assisting formerly incarcerated individuals in finding forestry and firefighting jobs. The FFRP boasts a [statistic], compared to the California state average of [statistic].

Ramey reflects on his experience: he found his calling as a firefighter in prison and enjoyed the work, gaining valuable skills and teamwork experience. However, he also acknowledges the low pay compared to professional firefighters and the lack of awareness about the program’s implications when he initially joined.

A [study] revealed that incarcerated firefighters were four times more likely to suffer object-induced injuries (cuts, bruises, fractures) and over eight times more likely to experience smoke inhalation injuries than their professional counterparts.

Ramey advocates for ensuring that incarcerated firefighters not only assist during emergencies but also have access to employment opportunities and mentorship after their release.