Cristy Li

Fires Burning Throughout California Today –Image: NSPR News

 (LA Daily News) Firefighters continue battling a blaze that has scorched more than 300 rugged acres and has burned six structures in the Castaic Lake area, the U.S. Forest Service has reported.

The ‘Warm Fire’ in Castaic Lake Area has Grown to 300+ Acres
Image: NBC Los Angeles

The ‘Warm Fire’ erupted about 3:30 PM Sunday near the shuttered  Warm Spring Rehab Center according to the Forest Service–the fire was 30% contained this morning with 3 helicopters and a DC-10 tanker being used in the firefight.

There are reports that Cal Fire has received word from volunteers offering to work in the fight to help contain the wildfires but have not received replies. One such volunteer waiting to be contacted said:

“I know how to use a shovel, hoe and rake…one would think if you can breathe Cal Fire can use all of the help they can get.”

Maybe not? Since the 1940s its reported that California has depended on the cheap labor of ‘volunteer Inmates’ to help control wildfires. California Dept of Corrections boasts the largest Inmate firefighting in the country with around 4,000 Inmate Firefighters–Unlike civilian volunteer firefighters with Cal Fire who make $9.00 an hour, Inmates are paid $1.00 an hour when they’re on the lines risking their lives battling wildfires.

Which likely is the explanation why at least one such civilian volunteer has not received a call from Cal Fire and may never will?

Related: About 4,000 — 30% of Cal Fire Firefighters are Prisoners