Prisoners join firefighters in fighting California wildfires

Prisoners are paid for their work. They receive between US$5.80 and US$10.24 per day (between R$35.36 and R$64.42, in current conversion), plus an additional US$1 per hour when responding to active emergencies .

About 1,800 inmates volunteer in the Conservation (Fire) Camp program. It is available in 35 minimum security prisons in California.

Fires leave ten dead

Ten people died until the early hours of this Friday (10). Details about the deaths were not provided by the Los Angeles police, but Sheriff Robert Luna said the death toll could rise as the fire continues to spread. “It appears that an atomic bomb hit these areas,” he said in a press release.

More than 180,000 people had to leave their homes. According to California authorities, at least ten thousand buildings were destroyed by the Eaton fires, which hit Pasadena, and the Palisades fire, which hit Los Angeles. The first was 3% controlled and the second, 8%, according to Los Angeles authorities.