CDCR

Conservation (Fire) Camps

Facts and figures

Total Staff (CDCR) 2009: 9
Total Staffing (CAL-FIRE/LAC) 2009: 15
Total # Inmates (as of 12/31/2009): 100+

Camp Products

Information not available.

Community service projects

During a calendar year 2009, Rainbow Conservation Camp can provide more than 120,000 hours in fire suppression activities. When not fighting fires, the inmates often perform in excess of 15,000 hours of work in community projects, and over 55,000 hours of work for State agencies in the local region. The primary work projects performed by the inmates include fire defense improvements, weed abatement, and maintenance of public recreation areas of the local governmental properties.

Welcome to Rainbow Conservation Camp #2

Address not available
PH: (760) 728-2554

Camp Staff

Information not available

Camp History

Rainbow Conservation Camp #2 was the first camp jointly operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and CAL FIRE. The camp began operations on October 1, 1946 with a small group of male inmates, CDCR staff, and CAL FIRE employees. The camp made history again when in 1983 it became an all-female inmate camp. The Camp remained under the administrative supervision of the Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) until October 2005, when the California Institution for Women (CIW) took over the operation of Rainbow, Puerta La Cruz and the Malibu Conservation Camps.

The primary mission of the camp is to provide inmate fire crews for fire suppression principally in San Diego and Riverside Counties. In addition to fire suppression, inmate hand crews provide a work force for conservation projects and community service. In-camp projects include a CalFIRE sign-making shop.

The CDCR is responsible for the supervision, care, and the discipline of the inmates at the camp. CalFIRE maintains the camp, supervises work of the inmate fire crews and is responsible for the custody of inmates on their project activities. CDCR staff may accompany the fire crews to provide for security and care of the inmates while they are away from the camp.

Inmate Programs

Rainbow Conservation Camp provides to all inmates a GED program that is approved by the State of California with an accredited teacher on site, College Courses through Palo Verde College, and numerous independent study programs.