Incarcerated firefighters working to mitigate wildfires in California earn rates significantly below the minimum wage, with some making just over $1 per hour for 24-hour shifts.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has deployed 395 minimum security incarcerated firefighters, who can earn $5.80 to $10.24 a day, while contributing a substantial manpower to the state's wildfire response.
California's fire camps, where incarcerated individuals are trained to fight wildfires, account for nearly 30% of the state’s firefighting resources, showcasing a reliance on this labor amid increasing fire crises.
Despite aiding in critical firefighting operations, the pay for incarcerated firefighters ranges vastly lower than California's minimum wage, raising concerns about labor practices and compensation.
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