PASADENA, Calif. — Sal Almanza has endured long, exhausting shifts under tough conditions while engaging in fire suppression efforts, cutting fire lines, and clearing brush in a bid to combat the destructive fires that have severely impacted multiple Los Angeles communities. Yet when the flames are finally extinguished, he will head back to the prison “fire camp” where he is serving time for a drunk driving incident that resulted in injury to another person.
“I aimed to contribute positively during my time here,” said the 42-year-old. “I wanted to do something meaningful that would help the community and provide me with a sense of redemption for my past mistakes.”
Over 1,100 inmates across California have been tirelessly working under challenging circumstances, facing howling winds and noxious smoke, to assist Cal Fire in battling the Eaton and Palisades fires—among the most extensive and damaging among several wildfires that erupted in recent weeks across the Los Angeles region.
These inmates take on the role of firefighters not only for the opportunity to reduce their sentences but also to escape the confines of prison and acquire skills that may benefit them upon their release.
There are growing calls to reconsider the compensation for these incarcerated individuals, many of whom earn less than $30 per day for their risky labor. Advocates argue that they should receive pay comparable to non-incarcerated firefighters who undertake similar duties.
“We frequently discuss the injustice of this situation, but it hasn’t been addressed adequately,” stated California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan. He has recently proposed legislation that would ensure inmates are compensated at least at the rate of the lowest-paid non-incarcerated firefighters actively involved in disaster management. “It’s essential to engage in discussions surrounding equity, even in the midst of calamities,” he added.
Against the backdrop of fierce winds and debris, the crews worked diligently to establish fire lines around homes, clear away vegetation, and eliminate propane tanks or any other material that could ignite fires. Firefighters shared stories of carrying substantial gear weighing between 45 and 65 pounds while hiking hours in steep, rugged areas to draw lines of containment to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Almanza, who is serving a four-year term at the minimum-security Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp, notes that the firefighting tasks are physically demanding. “You are really pushing yourself to the limits of what you thought was possible for your body,” he remarked.
Tragically, at least 27 lives have been lost due to these fires, which have also led to the destruction of over 12,000 structures and left tens of thousands of residents evacuees. These blazes are anticipated to rank among the most devastating in California’s history, according to CalFire.
The practice of training inmates to aid in fighting wildfires began during World War II when many able-bodied men were deployed. Presently, there are 35 “fire camps” in California where inmates can become certified wildland firefighters, facilitated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation along with the state forestry department and the Los Angeles County fire department.
When deployed, these inmate firefighters earn between $5.80 to $10.24 daily based on their experience, along with an additional $1 per hour for active wildfire engagements, as reported by the corrections department. This means that the lowest wage earned by these inmates stands at $29.80 for a full 24-hour shift.
Corrections Secretary Jeff Macomber highlights the pivotal role played by inmate firefighters in the firefighting efforts against the fires threatening Los Angeles.
Officials from the corrections department assert that the inmates volunteer for this labor and recognize the risks involved. However, there has yet to be a response to inquiries about any fatalities or injuries sustained while on the job. Meanwhile, Smithsonian Magazine noted in 2022 that at least four inmates lost their lives in incidents linked to firefighting activities over the last few years, with cases including being struck by boulders and chainsaw-related accidents.
A 2018 investigation by Time revealed that incarcerated firefighters faced risks over four times greater than their professional counterparts for injuries such as cuts and bruises and were more than eight times as likely to suffer complications from exposure to smoke and other hazardous materials.
Joseph McKinney, another inmate actively combating the flames in Los Angeles, expressed his willingness to embrace the risks involved in such work. “When you realize the significance of what you are doing for the greater good, you are prepared to make that sacrifice,” he noted. “Moreover, I owe a debt to society, and this is my way of repaying that debt.”
Bianca Tylek, executive director of the criminal justice reform organization Worth Rises, raises concerns about whether the work of incarcerated firefighters is genuinely voluntary, given that participation is often mandated. Recently, state voters took action against a measure that sought to eliminate compulsory prison labor.
Tylek contends that offering low-paying firefighting roles to those eager to experience life outside prison confines and potentially shorten their sentences is exploitative. “Labor should be compensated fairly, irrespective of the context,” she emphasizes.
Sam Lewis, executive director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, acknowledges the necessity of fire camps but laments that it took a serious crisis to ignite a movement for improved pay, one that has garnered backing from many, including public figures like Kim Kardashian.
“This situation sheds light on the contribution of the incarcerated in serving the community they have previously harmed,” Lewis added. “We should appreciate their efforts.”
His organization has advocated for a structured training and certification initiative at the Ventura Training Center aimed at equipping parolees for careers in firefighting. In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom enacted legislation allowing paroled firefighters to have their records expunged to ease the transition into gainful employment.
Bryan expressed hope that his legislation could be expedited and possibly made retroactive, so that inmates receive the “respect and dignity” they rightfully deserve for their sacrifices. Potential funding for this initiative could derive from emergency federal resources.
“Every individual risking their life to aid others is heroic, regardless of their incarceration status,” Bryan asserted. “If you demonstrate courage in a crisis, the state of California should be grateful to you.”
“I aimed to contribute positively during my time here,” said the 42-year-old. “I wanted to do something meaningful that would help the community and provide me with a sense of redemption for my past mistakes.”
Over 1,100 inmates across California have been tirelessly working under challenging circumstances, facing howling winds and noxious smoke, to assist Cal Fire in battling the Eaton and Palisades fires—among the most extensive and damaging among several wildfires that erupted in recent weeks across the Los Angeles region.
These inmates take on the role of firefighters not only for the opportunity to reduce their sentences but also to escape the confines of prison and acquire skills that may benefit them upon their release.
There are growing calls to reconsider the compensation for these incarcerated individuals, many of whom earn less than $30 per day for their risky labor. Advocates argue that they should receive pay comparable to non-incarcerated firefighters who undertake similar duties.
“We frequently discuss the injustice of this situation, but it hasn’t been addressed adequately,” stated California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan. He has recently proposed legislation that would ensure inmates are compensated at least at the rate of the lowest-paid non-incarcerated firefighters actively involved in disaster management. “It’s essential to engage in discussions surrounding equity, even in the midst of calamities,” he added.
Against the backdrop of fierce winds and debris, the crews worked diligently to establish fire lines around homes, clear away vegetation, and eliminate propane tanks or any other material that could ignite fires. Firefighters shared stories of carrying substantial gear weighing between 45 and 65 pounds while hiking hours in steep, rugged areas to draw lines of containment to prevent the flames from spreading further.
Almanza, who is serving a four-year term at the minimum-security Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp, notes that the firefighting tasks are physically demanding. “You are really pushing yourself to the limits of what you thought was possible for your body,” he remarked.
Tragically, at least 27 lives have been lost due to these fires, which have also led to the destruction of over 12,000 structures and left tens of thousands of residents evacuees. These blazes are anticipated to rank among the most devastating in California’s history, according to CalFire.
The practice of training inmates to aid in fighting wildfires began during World War II when many able-bodied men were deployed. Presently, there are 35 “fire camps” in California where inmates can become certified wildland firefighters, facilitated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation along with the state forestry department and the Los Angeles County fire department.
When deployed, these inmate firefighters earn between $5.80 to $10.24 daily based on their experience, along with an additional $1 per hour for active wildfire engagements, as reported by the corrections department. This means that the lowest wage earned by these inmates stands at $29.80 for a full 24-hour shift.
Corrections Secretary Jeff Macomber highlights the pivotal role played by inmate firefighters in the firefighting efforts against the fires threatening Los Angeles.
Officials from the corrections department assert that the inmates volunteer for this labor and recognize the risks involved. However, there has yet to be a response to inquiries about any fatalities or injuries sustained while on the job. Meanwhile, Smithsonian Magazine noted in 2022 that at least four inmates lost their lives in incidents linked to firefighting activities over the last few years, with cases including being struck by boulders and chainsaw-related accidents.
A 2018 investigation by Time revealed that incarcerated firefighters faced risks over four times greater than their professional counterparts for injuries such as cuts and bruises and were more than eight times as likely to suffer complications from exposure to smoke and other hazardous materials.
Joseph McKinney, another inmate actively combating the flames in Los Angeles, expressed his willingness to embrace the risks involved in such work. “When you realize the significance of what you are doing for the greater good, you are prepared to make that sacrifice,” he noted. “Moreover, I owe a debt to society, and this is my way of repaying that debt.”
Bianca Tylek, executive director of the criminal justice reform organization Worth Rises, raises concerns about whether the work of incarcerated firefighters is genuinely voluntary, given that participation is often mandated. Recently, state voters took action against a measure that sought to eliminate compulsory prison labor.
Tylek contends that offering low-paying firefighting roles to those eager to experience life outside prison confines and potentially shorten their sentences is exploitative. “Labor should be compensated fairly, irrespective of the context,” she emphasizes.
Sam Lewis, executive director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, acknowledges the necessity of fire camps but laments that it took a serious crisis to ignite a movement for improved pay, one that has garnered backing from many, including public figures like Kim Kardashian.
“This situation sheds light on the contribution of the incarcerated in serving the community they have previously harmed,” Lewis added. “We should appreciate their efforts.”
His organization has advocated for a structured training and certification initiative at the Ventura Training Center aimed at equipping parolees for careers in firefighting. In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom enacted legislation allowing paroled firefighters to have their records expunged to ease the transition into gainful employment.
Bryan expressed hope that his legislation could be expedited and possibly made retroactive, so that inmates receive the “respect and dignity” they rightfully deserve for their sacrifices. Potential funding for this initiative could derive from emergency federal resources.
“Every individual risking their life to aid others is heroic, regardless of their incarceration status,” Bryan asserted. “If you demonstrate courage in a crisis, the state of California should be grateful to you.”
