Why are California inmates deployed to help fight LA wildfires?

Canada and Mexico have offered to deploy firefighters as US inmates join in efforts to put out LA’s wildfires.

A firefighter sets up a hose while fighting the Palisades Fire.
A firefighter sets up a hose while fighting the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles [Eric Thayer/AP Photo]

Hundreds of California prison inmates have joined firefighters in efforts to combat the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, which have scorched thousands of acres and killed 24 people since erupting on January 7.

Fire crews are racing to put out two of the biggest wildfires – Palisades and Eaton – before the return of the highspeed Santa Ana winds. The dry Santa Ana winds blowing from inland towards the coast fuelled the initial fire. Palisades and Eaton, which have been contained by 13 percent and 27 percent, respectively, have burned nearly 40,000 acres (15,300 hectares) of land and more than 12,000 structures.

Officials say at least 16 people remain missing and more than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate.

So why are authorities relying on inmates from California’s many corrections facilities to contain one of the worst wildfires in the state’s history? Is there a legal provision that allows their deployment and are they being paid for their services?

What role do inmates play in California’s wildfire response?

Imprisoned people are a contingent of the crews working to put out LA’s huge fires. But their role is different from that of other firefighters on the front lines.

Advertisement

Inmates wear distinctive orange uniforms and instead of using hoses or water, they use “hand tools to aid in fire suppression” and also support other emergency workers, The New York Times (NYT) cited California’s prison agency, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as saying.

Two days are docked off their sentence for each day they support fire crews, according to the prison agency.

Additionally, the inmates’ work with fire crews paves a path for potential job opportunities after their release, including advanced training and criminal record expungement, the agency’s website states.

However, prison reform activists say inmates often don’t find work in the field upon release because their criminal record remains intact, NYT reported.

California has relied on prisoner firefighters since 1915, when a programme was first created for inmates “to work on meaningful projects”, the agency states on its website. Inmates were especially used to combat fires after World War II, when many fire department officials were depleted, the agency states.

How many prisoners are involved in the firefighting?

Nearly 950 prison firefighters have now been deployed to contain the fires, according to the corrections department.

Advertisement

They are paid $10.24 each day, with more for 24-hour shifts, according to the department. This is lower than California’s minimum wage, which is $16.50 an hour.

Prison reform advocates have long decried the practice as controversial, as the inmates are paid little for dangerous and laborious work.

According to a 2022 report from the American Civil Liberties Union and the University of Chicago Law School, four prisoner firefighters were killed and more than 1,000 injured while on the job in California during a five-year period.

How many firefighters are battling the wildfires?

California’s fire departments are leading the battle to contain the fires, working alongside crews from other states and a few foreign contingents.

Nearly 14,000 personnel have been deployed, alongside the use of 1,400 fire engines and 84 aircraft.

Who else has sent help?

Firefighters from seven US states, Canada, and Mexico are mobilising to help with the wildfire crisis, joining fire departments from across California.

Local media reported that on Saturday, two planes carrying more than 70 Mexican firefighters and their equipment arrived in Los Angeles to bolster firefighting efforts. Governor Gavin Newsom said the Mexican firefighters will be fighting at least one of the fires threatening the Los Angeles area.

Canadian Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan announced via X on Sunday that 60 Canadian firefighters would be deployed as early as Monday. He added that the federal government is coordinating with provinces to provide resources for the response.

Advertisement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also shared on X on Sunday evening that 150 Ukrainian firefighters “are already prepared” to be deployed, following criticism from Donald Trump Jr, who on Wednesday accused Los Angeles fire departments of donating supplies to Ukraine instead of prioritising local needs.

Some wealthy property owners have even been hiring private fire crews to help combat the fires, costing thousands of dollars a day, according to the NYT.

Wildfires rage across Los Angeles
As wildfires rage across Los Angeles, the flames are engulfing areas the size of a small city. Both major fronts rank among the most destructive in California’s history. (Al Jazeera)

What is being done to improve firefighting capabilities in Los Angeles?

The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings through Wednesday, citing critical fire conditions fuelled by sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and gusts up to 70 mph (113 km/h) in mountainous areas.

Fire behaviour analyst Dennis Burns, speaking at a community meeting on Sunday, said Tuesday is expected to pose the greatest risk.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C Marrone announced the arrival of 70 additional water trucks to support efforts against flames driven by intensifying winds. “We are ready for the upcoming wind event,” Marrone said.

Officials said fire retardant deployed by aircraft will serve as a protective barrier on hillsides to help contain the spread.

The Hurst Fire has been contained by 89 percent, and three other fires that had ravaged other parts of the county were now 100 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

INTERACTIVE-LA fires - Palisades Eaton Hurst Fire Map Jan 13-1736746451

What can be done to address future wildfire risks?

One of the worst wildfires to hit California has led to a political blame game, with President-elect Donald Trump accusing California Governor Gavin Newsom of water mismanagement.

Advertisement

Authorities have also been accused of mismanagement and being unprepared for this scale of fire, which might cause an estimated damage and economic loss of $135-150bn.

Governor Newsom has ordered an investigation into why a 117-million-gallon (440-million-litre) reservoir in Pacific Palisades was nonoperational and why some fire hydrants ran dry during the crisis.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley accused city leaders of failing to allocate sufficient funding for firefighting efforts and stressed the critical issue of water shortages.

“When firefighters arrive at a hydrant, they expect water to be available,” Crowley said, criticising the lack of water.

Source: Al Jazeera

Advertisement
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top