Fact check: 'Essential': nearly 400 incarcerated firefighters deployed as LA battles wildfires The firefighters earn $5.80-$10.24 per day plus $1 an hour when responding to active emergencies, according to CDCR

1. Summary of the results

The original statement is factually accurate but understates the actual number of deployed firefighters. Multiple sources confirm that 783 fire camp firefighters, including 88 support staff, are currently deployed to combat LA wildfires ^{[1] [1] [2]}. The reported wage range of $5.80-$10.24 per day plus $1 per hour during active emergencies is also consistently verified across all sources ^{[1] [3] [2]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original statement:

• The program is entirely voluntary and has existed since 1915 ^[1]
• Participants must meet strict eligibility criteria and receive training comparable to professional firefighters ^[4]
• The current pay rate represents a doubling of wages that occurred in 2023 ^[3]
• For perspective, a firefighter at the lowest experience level would earn $26.90 during a 24-hour emergency shift ^{[1] [1]}
• While the pay seems low by outside standards, it is considered high-paying within the prison system ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement's use of "Essential" in quotes and focus on the low wages could be seen as highlighting the exploitative nature of the program. However, this framing omits several important aspects:

• The program's long historical context dating back to 1915 ^[1]
• The voluntary nature of participation ^[3]
• The recent wage increase in 2023 ^[3]
• The actual scope of deployment (783 vs "nearly 400" stated) ^[1]

Multiple stakeholders benefit from different interpretations of this program:

• The State of California benefits from cost-effective firefighting labor
• Prison reform advocates might use the low wages to argue for better compensation
• Inmates benefit from higher-than-usual prison wages and potentially valuable experience
• Cal Fire benefits from additional workforce during emergencies