Mountain Home Conservation Camp #10

Mountain Home Conservation Camp first opened on the Mountain Home State Forest in 1947 under the direction of CAL FIRE and the California Youth Authority. This 20-man camp was located at the current Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest summer warehouse, approximately 6,500 feet above sea level. By winter, the camp would return to Coarsegold in Madera County. In 1955, CDCR and CAL FIRE opened a 30-man spike camp at the same location. Those participants wintered at Coalinga to help on the construction of the Muirrietta Conservation Camp.

In 1959, under the direction of Governor Edmund G. Brown, the Director of Department of Natural Resources DeWitt Nelson and CDCR Director Richard McGee announced and began construction of the current Mountain Home Conservation Camp. In 1960, Mountain Home became the first mobile conservation camp. 13 semi-trailer rigs housed the mobile camp of inmates and staff members. The mobile and summer camps were used in the construction of the current Mountain Home Conservation Camp.

CDCR is responsible for the security, supervision, care, and discipline of the inmates. CAL FIRE maintains the camp, supervises work of the incarcerated fire crews and is responsible for the custody of inmates on their daily CAL FIRE work projects. CDCR staff may accompany the hand crews while assigned to emergencies to assist in their care and security.

Hand crews also perform conservation and community service projects. CAL FIRE determines conservation projects.

Mountain Home Conservation Camp provides extensive work for the Mountain Home State Forest, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (at Lake’s Kaweah and Success), the Tulare County Road Department, the Tulare County Office of Education, and School of Science and Conservation (SCICON). Much of this work could not be done without the dedication of the incarcerated fire crews and the commitment of the CDCR/CAL FIRE camp staff.

The camp is currently participating in the Tree Mortality Task Force (TMTF). The TMTF combats the estimated 66 million dead trees throughout the state.

Mountain Home in-camp projects include a Sign Shop that provides signs and plaques made from redwood to various state agencies. Camp participants build custom wood furnishings such as office cabinets, work stations, picnic tables, arbors, and lawn furniture. The camp also runs a full-time lumber mill that produces lumber material for various wood projects.

Just as in every CDCR prison, every conservation camp offers rehabilitative and educational services, including substance abuse programs, religious programs, and GED and college courses. Camp volunteers can participate in hobby crafts programs, music appreciation, pre-release programs, and other activities during their off-work hours. There are also spiritual services and recovery programs provided by community volunteers.

For stories featuring current and former Conservation (Fire) Camp Program participants, read Inside CDCR.

Visiting can be a critical part of an incarcerated person’s rehabilitation. For more information, visit the Scheduling Visits at Conservation (Fire) Camps page.