California Relies on Prison Labor to Combat Wildfires Amid Criticism

As wildfires rage across Southern California, the state has deployed nearly 1,000 incarcerated firefighters to combat the blazes, reigniting debates over the use of low-paid prison labor. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that 939 incarcerated individuals are currently working to cut fire lines, clear brush, and protect structures, earning between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, with an additional $1 per hour during emergencies.

California has relied on incarcerated firefighters since 1915, with the program expanding during World War II. Today, 35 minimum-security fire camps across the state train and house volunteers who meet strict criteria, including good behavior and fewer than eight years remaining on their sentences. While the state emphasizes the voluntary nature of the program, critics argue that the low wages and dangerous conditions amount to exploitation.

“It comes at a pretty steep cost,” said Bianca Tylek, executive director of Worth Rises, a criminal justice advocacy organization. “Incarcerated firefighters are at a higher risk for serious injuries, and they’re paid a fraction of what professional firefighters earn.” A 2024 report found that inmate firefighters are more than four times as likely to suffer injuries compared to their professional counterparts.

Despite the risks, firefighting is one of the most sought-after jobs in California’s prisons, offering higher pay than other roles and the opportunity to reduce sentences. However, incarcerated firefighters forfeit their rights to compensation if injured or killed on the job. “Every single firefighter out there is proud to be there,” said former inmate firefighter Monica Mota, who worked in the program before her release in 2015. “But they’ve signed away their rights.”

The Los Angeles-based Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) has launched a fundraiser to support incarcerated firefighters, raising over $40,000 in just days. The funds will provide boots, toiletries, and other necessities, with remaining donations going toward scholarships for formerly incarcerated firefighters or commissary accounts. ARC Executive Director Sam Lewis told The Los Angeles Times, “Whatever they need, we’ll purchase.”

As climate change intensifies wildfire seasons, California’s reliance on incarcerated firefighters has drawn increased scrutiny. In 2024, voters rejected a ballot measure to ban unpaid prison labor, leaving the practice intact. Tylek hopes the current wildfires will prompt Californians to reconsider the value of incarcerated workers. “They’re defending the personhood and property of people around Los Angeles,” she said. “It’s time to recognize their contributions.”