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Fighting Flames In Chains: The Hidden Truth Of Prison Labor Battling Los Angeles Wildfires

January 13, 2025

Wildfires are raging across Los Angeles, leaving behind a trail of destruction with homes, businesses, and collective morale reduced to ash, along with shattered Hollywood dreams. Social media feeds and news outlets expose images of devastation, stories of loss, and discussions over climate change’s undeniable role in fueling these infernos. As Southern California struggles with increasingly dry weather and worsening droughts, the reality of a heating planet is impossible to ignore. Since the fires sparked on Tuesday, January 7, in Pacific Palisades, California, almost 200,000 acres have burned, over 180,000 individuals have evacuated, 9,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed, and 24 lives lost. While headlines praise the bravery of those battling the flames, including firefighters, volunteers, and first responders, an alarming injustice has smoldered to the surface. Over 30 percent of the force field are incarcerated individuals risking their lives to make as little as $0.16 cents per hour. Exploited for dangerous work, denied fundamental rights, and barred from pursuing firefighting careers post-release, these men and women are the unsung heroes of California’s environmental crises. These incarcerated firefighters reveal the deep-seated exploitation of America’s prison-industrial complex, a system rooted in slavery and perpetuated through a loophole in the 13th Amendment.

The origins of prison labor in the United States date back to a loophole in the 13th Amendment, written in 1865. While the Amendment abolished slavery, it “explicitly excludes people held in confinement due to a criminal conviction.” Southern lawmakers exploited this clause to re-enslave Black people under the facade of criminal convictions, giving rise to the prison-industrial complex we see today. This system disproportionately incarcerates Black and brown individuals and exploits their labor for profit. This form of modern-day slave labor that “prison plantations” in California use began in 1915 with “fire camps” and expanded during World War II. Today, these conservation camps provide a labor force integral to the state’s wildfire response. Jeff Macomber, Secretary of California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, stated: “Wildfires are a constant and formidable challenge for California, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation conservation fire camps remain dedicated to supporting the state’s response. The work of our incarcerated firefighters and staff is an essential part of this effort, and their commitment to protecting lives and property during these emergencies cannot be overstated.” 

Despite their critical role, incarcerated firefighters earn between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, with an additional $1 per hour during emergencies, according to CDCR. While these wages doubled in 2023, they remain insufficient in comparison to the risk they are exposed to. One Instagram commenter noted, “Slavery was never abolished, just rebranded.” As wildfires grow more frequent and intense with climate change, TCalifornia’s reliance on incarcerated labor is a controversial, outdated practice in need of revision. LA Mayor Karen Bass recently slashed the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by $17.6 million, reallocating funds to the LAPD. The climate emergency mobilization department also saw budget cuts.

On X, (formerly known as Twitter) the People’s City Council Los Angeles criticized these decisions, writing, “Why fund the fire department when you can give $4 billion to LAPD to arrest people and force them to fight fires for $2/day?” This glaring contrast illustrates the systemic exploitation of marginalized communities. Incarcerated firefighters, many of whom are BIPOC, are forced into dangerous labor while the city defunds essential services meant to address climate emergencies.

As climate change intensifies, so does the importance of sustainable and equitable solutions. Reforming the prison labor system is not only a moral imperative but also a practical necessity. Incarcerated individuals who risk their lives fighting fires deserve fair compensation, time reductions on their sentences, and opportunities to pursue firefighting careers post-release. Musician Chris Brown posted on his Instagram story, “The prisoners who were out there risking their lives need time knocked off their sentences.” Yet, systemic change remains elusive. In 2022, California voters rejected a ballot measure to prohibit forced prison labor, “a crushing blow to advocates of criminal justice reform and the 90,000 individuals incarcerated in the state’s prisons.” Various industries exploit prison labor under unfair conditions for cheap labor, including agricultural, call centers, customer, and commercial services, to name a few. 

To dismantle this modern-day slavery, we must advocate for fair wages that reflect the risk and skill involved, ensuring incarcerated individuals are compensated equitably for their labor. Rehabilitation programs that prepare individuals for post-release careers should be implemented, equipping them with the skills needed to reintegrate successfully into society. Additionally, supporting legislation to close the loophole in the 13th Amendment is crucial to ending exploitative practices. A rehabilitation-focused jail system would recognize the humanity of incarcerated individuals, providing them with opportunities to rebuild their lives while contributing meaningfully to society.

As images of the Hollywood Hills engulfed in flames circulate online, the enormity of loss feels cinematic. Instagram feeds capture grief, resilience, and calls for action as individuals share their GoFundMe campaigns or other platforms for direct donations. While LA’s mayor receives backlash with a petition for her resignation, grassroots organizations and individuals are stepping up. Walkgood LA’s studio, The Walkgood Yard, has transformed into a donation center in partnership with The Getty House Foundation. Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the studio provides rest and recharge for firefighters, first responders, journalists, and displaced individuals. Our AFROPUNK community collaborated with Walk Good LA, Spill, and Community Aid Dena to raise $7 million dollars to support 350 black families who lost their homes in Altadena and Pasadena, California. Efforts like this remind us of the power of community amid devastation. It’s time to unify our collective efforts, spread compassion, and offer a helping hand to support each other. 

Our definition of heroism must evolve to include those seeking redemption. Incarcerated firefighters are heroes who deserve respect, fair pay, and the opportunity to continue their work as free individuals. California’s wildfire crises highlight not only the urgency of combating climate change but also the necessity of addressing systemic injustices that exploit vulnerable populations. By advocating for systemic reforms and supporting relief efforts, we can honor the sacrifices of California’s incarcerated firefighters and work toward a more equitable future. These men and women are more than workers—they are heroes, and it’s time we treat them as such.



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