Currently, a total of 931 inmates in California are actively engaged in fighting wildfires by cutting fire lines and removing fuel to help contain the devastating blazes. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation disclosed that among these inmates, 114 are serving as support staff.
These incarcerated individuals are compensated by the department with daily wages ranging from $5.80 to $10.24, depending on their skill level. Additionally, they have the opportunity to earn an extra $1 per hour from Cal Fire when they are deployed to assist in active emergency situations, as outlined in a fact sheet provided by the department.
