Nearly 800 California inmates are helping battle the wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Some of the inmates spoke about this moment in history and what it means to serve the people of Los Angeles at such a crucial time.
According to NBC News, 783 incarcerated firefighters were working around the clock to help slow the spread of the massive blazes as part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Fire Camp Program. When asked about lending his assistance to the catastrophe, an incarcerated firefighter, Marc, said, "Put fires out and protect structures and save lives."
California's firefighter program is receiving criticism for undercompensating the prisoners who are relentlessly helping to battle the dangerous blazes. Many social media users and celebrities have spoken out about the low pay the incarcerated workers are receiving. Chris Brown stated, "LA...Make sure yall throw a ceremony or parade for these firefighters after this. Also the prisoners who were out there risking they lives need time knocked off their sentences."
An X user (formerly Twitter), Cassie Young, said, "Many don't realize that 30% of California's firefighting force are inmates. They are trained & given the choice, but are paid a pittance # are 4x more likely to sustain physical injury. Other states also use inmates for fire fighting, disaster response & EMTs, but not all pay."
According to the CDCR, prisoners are paid up to $10.24 per day with the opportunity to earn more during active emergencies. The CRCR also confirms that convicted felons will be eligible for employment with CAL Fire upon their release from jail.
According to NBC News, "In order to be eligible for the fire program, prisoners have to be deemed physically and mentally fit, they must have eight years or less on their sentence, and they cannot have convictions like arson or sexual violence, according to the CDCR. Working in the program can earn time off their sentence for each day they serve on a fire crew, and some prison workers can have their records expunged. Some critics have said the program is exploitative because incarcerated firefighters must choose between lowered sentences or risking their lives." Firefighters from Mexico and South Africa have also reportedly traveled to Los Angeles to help fight the fires.
This is the worst wildfire the Los Angeles area has seen. To date, over 12,000 structures have been destroyed. Cal Fire confirmed that about 40,300 acres have burned across multiple blazes, at least 24 people have died, and over 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.
Several residents are misplaced. Boxing Legend Floyd Mayweather is assisting residents who lost their homes. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis reportedly donated $1 million to victims. Beyoncé announced a 2.5 million dollar donation to victims via her foundation. Snoop Dogg announced that he would be donating a portion of his merchandise sales to families in need of assistance and providing clothes to families in need.
Along with other residents, several celebrities have lost their homes. Keyshia Cole, Beyoncé's mother Tina Knowles, Mel Gibson, Jhene Aiko, Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, and Ricki Lake all lost their homes—Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said his childhood home, purchased by his parents in 1969, was destroyed by the fires, according to Forbes.
Hollywood creative Tyler Perry is speaking out against insurance companies who reportedly canceled insurance coverage for many homeowners surrounding the catastrophe. Perry said on Instagram, "Does anyone else find it appalling that insurance companies can take billions of dollars out of communities for years and then, all of a sudden, be allowed to cancel millions of policies for the very people they became rich on?" The film director continued, "Watching a daughter use a garden hose to try and protect her 90-year-old parents' home because their insurance was canceled was just gut-wrenching to me."
According to The New York Times, last year, "State Farm, the largest insurer in the state, cut policies in the Santa Monica Mountains, resulting in 70% of customers in Pacific Palisades – about 1,600 homeowners – losing coverage."
To support the incarcerated firefighters, visit antirecidivism.org. To support any donation efforts listed, click the Instagram link for specific names above.
This story will be updated.
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