Frequently Asked Questions: Conservation (Fire) Camp Program

CDCR, in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAC FIRE), jointly operates 35 conservation camps, commonly known as fire camps, located in 25 counties across California. Two of the camps are for incarcerated women. CDCR employees oversee the fire camps, which are all minimum-security facilities.

Camp participants support state, local and federal government agencies as they respond to all types of emergencies such as fires, floods, and other natural or manmade disasters. Crews also maintain parks and assist with sand bagging during flood fighting operations and reforestation.

The program paves the way for several job opportunities and benefits after release, including advanced training and criminal record expungement. These pathways allow formerly-incarcerated people to seek professional emergency response certifications that were not previously available to them.

For more information about advanced training, visit the Ventura Training Center (VTC) webpage.

For more information about expedited criminal record expungement, visit the Assembly Bill 2147 webpage.

Participants in CDCR’s Conservation (Fire) Camp Program support state, local and federal government agencies as they respond to all types of emergencies such as fires, floods, and other natural or manmade disasters. When not assigned to an emergency, crews complete community service projects in areas close to their camp.

Fire-fighting crews, also known as hand crews, use hand tools to aid in fire suppression during wildland fires. They do not use water or hoses.

Participants can also work as camp support and maintenance staff including cooks, laundry workers, landscapers and water treatment plant operators.

CDCR employees oversee the fire camps, which are all minimum-security facilities. When responding to a wildfire or working on conservation projects, a CAL FIRE fire captain is responsible for their custody. The fire captain acts as the supervisor for the hand crew, which can include up to 17 people. Custody transfers back to correctional staff when the hand crews end their shift and return to either the camp or a base camp.

CAL FIRE assigns conservation projects for the crews. Prior to the start of a project, CDCR and CAL FIRE staff members evaluate the project site to ensure there are no security issues. 

An incarcerated person must volunteer for the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program and meet all eligibility criteria meant to protect public safety. No one is involuntarily assigned to work in a fire camp. Thus, incarcerated people do not face disciplinary action if they choose not to serve their time in a fire camp.

CDCR health care staff must clear participants as physically fit for vigorous activity to participate in the program.

Volunteers must have “minimum custody” status, or the lowest-security classification based on their sustained good behavior in prison, ability to follow rules, and participation in rehabilitative programming.

Volunteers must have eight years or less remaining on their sentence to be considered.

Some convictions automatically make someone ineligible for conservation camp assignment, even if they have minimum-custody status. Disqualifying convictions include rape and other sex offenses, arson, and escape history. Other disqualifiers include active warrants, medical issues, and high-notoriety cases.

California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) nursing staff must clear a participant for medical concerns before they can volunteer for the program. They must also complete a physical fitness test.

Once volunteers pass the physical fitness test, they must complete CAL FIRE’s Firefighting Training (FFT) program. Training consists of four days of classroom training and four days of field training, taught by CAL FIRE staff.

After completing CAL FIRE’s FFT program, program participants become certified wildland firefighters.

Partnerships with community colleges across the state provide correspondence courses and other educational opportunities. One example is Columbia College’s fire science certification course. Fire crew members can earn a certificate that transfers into credits at a two- or four-year college after release to continue their education.

CDCR and CAL FIRE take potential risks and dangers to firefighting personnel very seriously. All CAL FIRE personnel, including incarcerated firefighters, undergo training on the dangers associated with wildland firefighting. That includes methods to prevent, recognize and respond to symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Training, physical fitness conditioning, and education, including proper hydration and nutrition, are ongoing. Heat-related injury or illness suffered by any incarcerated person is recorded and treated seriously. These cases are investigated internally and shared with Cal OSHA to determine if proper mitigations were in place.

Avoiding heat illness is a partnership between the firefighter and CAL FIRE—each must do their part year-round to ensure that they are preparing for the upcoming fire season.  CAL FIRE provides to incarcerated hand crews the training, supervision and knowledge to avoid heat illness, as well as being a fit and safe firefighter.

Part of CAL FIRE’s classroom instruction for wildland firefighter training includes First Aid.

CDCR and CAL FIRE take potential risks and dangers to firefighting personnel very seriously. All CAL FIRE personnel, including incarcerated crew members, undergo training on the dangers associated with wildland firefighting. That includes methods to prevent, recognize and respond to symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Training, physical fitness conditioning, and education, including proper hydration and nutrition, are ongoing for fire crew members. Heat-related injury or illness suffered by any incarcerated person is recorded and treated seriously. These cases are investigated internally and shared with Cal OSHA to determine if proper mitigations were in place.

Avoiding heat illness is a partnership between the firefighter and CAL FIRE. Each must do their part to ensure they are preparing for fire season.  CAL FIRE provides the training, supervision and knowledge to avoid heat illness, as well as being a fit and safe fire crew member.

Depending on skill level, conservation camp incarcerated fire crew members earn between $2.90 and $5.13 per day, paid by CDCR. While assigned to an active emergency, incarcerated fire crew members earn an additional $1 per hour paid by CAL FIRE, regardless of skill level. During emergencies, crews can work a 24-hour shift, followed by 24 hours of rest. For example, for one 24 hour shift during an active emergency, the lowest skill level would earn $26.90 per day. They are paid during rest periods, as well.

Camp participants also earn time credits. Most incarcerated fire crew members receive 2-for-1 credits, meaning they receive two additional days off their sentence for every one day they serve on a fire crew. Camp volunteers who work as support staff, but not on a fire crew, receive day-for day credits, meaning they receive one day off their sentence for every one day they serve as a firefighter.

For more information on credit-earning, visit the Proposition 57 webpage.

The Conservation (Fire) Camp Program can be an important part of an incarcerated person’s rehabilitation as they serve their sentences with CDCR. 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. For programs offered at a specific camp, visit the List of Conservation (Fire) Camps.

Camps also offer a visiting program. Maintaining relationships and communication with loved ones is an integral part of the rehabilitative process. For more information, visit the Scheduling Visits at a Conservation (Fire) Camp page.

Yes. A felony conviction does not disqualify employment with CAL FIRE. Many former camp firefighters go on to gain employment with CAL FIRE, the United States Forest Service and interagency hotshot crews.

CAL FIRE, California Conservation Corps (CCC), and CDCR, in partnership with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), developed an 18-month enhanced firefighter training and certification program at the Ventura Training Center (VTC), located in Ventura County.

The VTC trains formerly-incarcerated people on parole who have recently been part of a trained firefighting workforce housed in fire camps or institutional firehouses operated by CAL FIRE and CDCR. Members of the CCC are also eligible to participate. VTC cadets receive additional rehabilitation and job training skills to help them be more successful after completion of the program. Cadets who complete the program are qualified to apply for entry-level firefighting jobs with local, state, and federal firefighting agencies.

For more information, visit the Ventura Training Center (VTC) webpage.