Nearly 1,000 prisoners helping suppress wildfires in Los Angeles area
Nearly 1,000 incarcerated individuals are among the firefighters working to contain the slew of brush fires spreading across Southern California, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed.
The prisoners, who voluntarily sign up to be a part of the Conservation (Fire) Camps program, are embedded with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection crew members (Cal Fire).
As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, CDCR said it has deployed 1,015 firefighters -- including 127 corrections department staff members -- to help cut fire lines and remove fuel form behind structures to slow the fire spread. The crews are actively assisting Cal Fire with the Eaton and Palisades firefighting efforts, CDCR said.
PHOTOS: Powerful images show destruction from deadly Southern California fires
Participation in the fire program is voluntary, and the incarcerated people are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day plus $1 an hour when responding to active emergencies, CDCR said. That's less than California's minimum wage, which is $16.50 per hour.
"CDCR Fire Camp Program firefighters are proud to be embedded with CAL FIRE personnel to protect lives, property, and natural resources in Southern California," the law enforcement agency said in a statement, calling the program a source of "crucial support" during emergencies.
The exact number of hours the incarcerated crew members have worked since brush fires erupted in Los Angeles on Tuesday was not immediately clear.
CDCR's Fire Camp Program operates 35 minimum-security facilities in 25 counties across California -- including two camps designated for incarcerated women. As of Tuesday morning, the department is drawing firefighters from 21 of the camps to help combat the blazes in the L.A. region.
There are over 1,800 incarcerated individuals staffing the camps across the state, according to the agency.
Participating prisoners have joined the thousands of federal, state and local emergency responders that are battling at least five sprawling wildfires across Los Angeles County.
The largest of the devastating blazes, the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 23,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and was 17% contained as of Tuesday evening. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, has spread over 14,000 acres and is 35% contained, according to Cal Fire.
The county Medical Examiner's office has confirmed 17 deaths in the Eaton Fire, making it the 5th deadliest wildfire in California history. Another 8 deaths have been recorded in the Palisades Fire.
Officials warn those numbers may rise as emergency efforts continue.
Take a look at the latest stories and videos on the devastating Southern California wildfires here.
