Holton Conservation Camp #16

Originally, Holton Conservation Camp was located in Mt. Gleason until 2009, when the tragic Station fire claimed the lives of two of the honorable Los Angeles County Fire Department camp staff (Captain T. Hall and Fire Fighter Specialist A. Quinnones) and reduced the facility to ash and rubble. Following the fire, the camp relocated to its current location in Sylmar, CA where the camp served as a probation camp from its opening in 1958 until its transition to a unified CDCR and Los Angeles County Fire Department wild land firefighting camp in 2009.

The camp is staffed by Los Angeles County fire and CDCR personnel who supervise CDCR incarcerated fire crews. The crews respond to various calls for service, which include but are not limited to rescues of stranded motorists, structure protection, and wild land firefighting. Camp 16 crews previously worked to clear debris from Pasadena streets and rooftops following a wind storm. More recently, they helped to contain many fires, which included the Sand, Chimney, and Bobcat Fires. When not responding to emergency calls, the crews complete work projects in the community that range from park maintenance to fire prevention.

Holton Conservation Camp is the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s food dispensary preparation site for emergency incident personnel.

Hand crews also perform conservation and community service projects. LACFD determines conservation projects.

Completed and ongoing projects by Growlersburg crew members include:

• Fuel modification at The Hollywood Bowl and other county facilities
• United States Forest Service camp grounds vegetation management
• Mt. Wilson fuel reduction
• Angeles Forest trail maintenance
• Motor way maintenance (clearing emergency vehicle routes)

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 facilitated by Coastline Community College, and pre-release classes. Their work activities and efforts during emergencies build a strong work ethic, and a feeling of self-worth. These activities prepare the inmates for a successful integration back into their communities upon release.

During their leisure time, camp volunteers may participate in hobby craft, softball, basketball, horseshoes, reading or other activities. Spiritual and self-help services such as Catholic Services, Calvary Chapel, Jewish Services, West Angeles Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are provided by community volunteers.

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.