![]() In the last year alone, the state has seen the largest fire in California history-the Mendocino Complex Fire-and the most destructive, the Tubbs Fire in 2017, which killed 24 people and destroyed more than 5,600 homes. They’re routinely called upon to fight the state’s most dangerous fires. JERRY BROWN: There’s a tremendous effort fighting these fires, and I want to personally thank all the firefighters who are on the line-the members of Cal Fire, also the National Guard and the thousands of inmates who are also on the line fighting to protect lives and bring these fires to a quick close, to the extent that’s at all possible.ĪMY GOODMAN: Incarcerated firefighters live in 44 low-security field camps throughout California, including three camps for women and one for juveniles. ![]() In August, California Governor Jerry Brown thanked the firefighters on the front lines, including those who are incarcerated. According to some estimates, California saves up to $100 million a year by using prison labor to fight its biggest environmental problem. While salaried firefighters earn an annual mean wage of $74,000 a year plus benefits, prisoners earn a dollar per hour when fighting active fires. Of the 13,000 firefighters battling blazes across California, more than 2,500 are incarcerated. ![]() We begin today’s show behind the scenes of California’s raging climate-fueled wildfires, with the hidden men and women on the front lines of the state’s ever-growing fire season: prisoner firefighters. AMY GOODMAN: We’re broadcasting from San Francisco, the site of this week’s Global Climate Action Summit. ![]()
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