Acton Conservation Camp #11

Acton Conservation Camp #11 is in Los Angeles County and part of the Angeles National Forest. During WWII, it was originally a “Road Camp” where workers lived during their construction of the 14 Freeway. Later, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department occupied the camp to house county offenders.

In the early 1970s, the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) moved into the camp, which was known as “Camp 1” at that time. Camp 1 was used to house and train non-incarcerated Fire Control Laborers with four hand crews and one heli tack crew. The crews responded to wildland and brush fires until a new agreement with CDCR was reached in the early 1980’s.

Since then, Acton Camp has been a cooperative partnership between LACFD and CDCR. Acton has proudly served the citizens of Los Angeles County and the State of California. The camp’s fire crews respond to wildland and brush fires and other natural disasters from the Mexico border in the south to the Oregon border in the north. Acton is one of the busiest fire camps in the State, averaging over 500 fire responses per year.

When not fighting fires, incarcerated hand crews perform conservation and community service projects. LACFD determines conservation projects.

Acton Camp’s ongoing and completed projects include:

• Trail Maintenance/Hazard Reductions (U.S. Forest Service, State & County Parks/Facilities)
• Site Beautifications (Palmdale High School Baseball/Softball Facilities, U.S. Forest Service, State and County Parks/Facilities)
• Completed Museum for Leona Valley Historical Society

Just as in every CDCR prison, every conservation camp offers rehabilitative and educational services, including substance abuse programs such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA), religious programs, and GED and college courses. Additionally, camp members can participate in hobby crafts programs, music appreciation, pre-release programs, and other leisure time activities during their off-work hours.

For more 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.