California's incarcerated firefighters, who make about $30 per day, could get a big raise

"In howling winds and choking smoke during the January fires that devastated Altadena and Pacific Palisades, more than 1,100 incarcerated firefighters cleared brush and dug fire lines, some for wages of less than $30 per day. Those firefighters could soon see a major raise. On Thursday, California lawmakers unanimously approved a plan to pay incarcerated firefighters the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour while assigned to an active fire, a raise of more than 700%."

""Nobody who puts their life on the line for other people should earn any less than the federal minimum wage," said the bill's author, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), before the Thursday vote. Bryan's legislation, Assembly Bill 247, would take effect immediately if signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom's office said he typically does not comment on pending legislation. But in July, he signed a budget that set aside $10 million for incarcerated firefighter wages."

California lawmakers unanimously approved legislation to pay incarcerated firefighters the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour while assigned to active fires, a raise of more than 700%. More than 1,100 incarcerated firefighters fought January's Los Angeles County fires, with some previously earning less than $30 per day. Assembly Bill 247 would take effect immediately if signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who earlier signed a budget allocating $10 million for incarcerated firefighter wages. Working at 35 minimum-security fire camps is voluntary and can speed parole, and inmates perform tasks including clearing brush, digging containment lines, cooking and laundry. Prison crews sometimes make up over one quarter of California's wildfire fighters.

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