Week in Review: January 17, 2025

January 17, 2025

Wildfire Special Edition

For this Week in Review for January 17, we are dedicating this edition to the ongoing wildfire response efforts in California.

As wildfires continue to impact communities, CDCR and CCHCS staff, along with incarcerated fire crews, are playing a critical role in firefighting and emergency support. From staff strike teams to incarcerated hand crews, many are on the front lines. They are working tirelessly to protect lives, property, and natural resources.

In this special edition of the Week in Review for January 17, we highlight their dedication, bravery, and contributions to California’s wildfire response.

CDCR Firefighter in a firetruck for Week in Review for January 17. — CDCR firefighter assisting with 2025 Los Angles Fires, Strike Team, Week in Review, January 17, 2025.

What’s New

New Website Launches to Support Those Affected by 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires: 2025 Los Angeles Fires | CA.gov

A new website (www.ca.gov/LAfires/) has been created to provide vital help and information for individuals impacted by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. The site offers:

Interactive maps to track active fire zones
Access to emergency alerts and updates
Applications for disaster relief
Additional resources to support recovery

Whether you need real-time updates, financial aid applications, or guidance navigating this crisis, the website is a one-stop hub designed to meet your needs.

In the Community

CDCR Strike Team of Dedicated Fire Personnel Aids Palisades Fire Efforts

Led by Fire Chief Jesse Corrales, the CDCR strike team, made up entirely of CDCR civil service fire staff, played a vital role in battling the Palisades fire. The team of 20 highly trained firefighters from state prison firehouses worked on suppression, triage, mop-up, and community support. Their efforts included extinguishing hotspots, preventing reignition during high winds, and assisting families returning to affected areas. Working 24-hour shifts, these CDCR professionals demonstrated resilience and dedication. “I couldn’t be prouder of my team,” Corrales said of their critical contributions to the operation.

[CDCR strike team fights Los Angeles wildfires – Inside CDCR.]

Behind the scenes: Supporting fire crews in Southern California

CDCR incarcerated fire crews and staff are putting in long hours battling Southern California fires to protect lives, resources, and homes. Learn how they are fed at the incident command post. Lt. Manny Nunez said staff and the incarcerated crews are served the same food. “What comes out of the mobile kitchen unit here serves both the paid firefighters, staff, and support staff. It feeds us, the correctional staff, and feeds our incarcerated firefighters,” he said. Read the full story.

Support Amidst Wildfires

CMC Cuesta camp staff and firefighters thank those fighting fires in Southern California.

Incarcerated fire crews in training and California Men’s Colony’s (CMC) Cuesta camp staff are offering words of encouragement and hope to those battling fires in Southern California. It’s been a week-long battle against deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Several record-breaking fires continue to burn. As of Wednesday, Jan 15. morning, 24 people have died while dozens remain missing. “For fellow staff members out there, sleepless nights away from their family, I know they are missing you guys. We are missing you guys but keep fighting the fires,” said Sgt. Jose Huerta. Read the full story.

CDCR Incarcerated Fire Crews Working the Frontlines

Incarcerated fire crews working frontlines

CDCR incarcerated fire crews have been bracing for wildfires spreading across Southern California. Monday Jan. 13, 888 incarcerated fire crews and part of the Camps program, as well as 111 CDCR employees, are working shoulder-to-shoulder with CAL FIRE firefighters to prevent the spread of flames. As a reminder to those who need some assistance during this time, Governor Newsom has launched a website with many resources available to support those affected by the wildfires:

https://www.gov.ca.gov/…/los-angeles-wildfire…/…

In Our Institutions

CDCR Institutions Step Up to Support Los Angeles Wildfire Relief

Photo of donations collected by staff members of CIM — CIM staff collected donations for victims of LA fires

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is rallying to assist those impacted by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Many institutions are organizing charitable efforts to provide relief to affected communities and animals, including:

California Institution for Men is collecting non-perishable food, hygiene supplies, socks, cash, and blankets. Staff and the incarcerated population are contributing, with donations being distributed through Emergency Network Los Angeles and Baby2Baby.
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center is facilitating monetary donations from the incarcerated population.
California Rehabilitation Center is hosting a donation drive to help Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue, which lost its resources in the fire. Staff and visitors are contributing supplies based on the organization’s needs.
Folsom State Prison is coordinating donations from the incarcerated population to support the Salvation Army.
Paws for Life K9 Rescue, a rehabilitative program at California Medical Facility and California State Prison-Los Angeles County, is rescuing displaced animals, providing emergency boarding, and organizing donations and supplies.

These efforts, along with various charitable initiatives across CDCR institutions, highlight the compassion and dedication of staff, incarcerated individuals, and programs in supporting those affected by this crisis.

Photo of dog howling, with caption: Los Angeles Wildfire Emergency Response Update, — Photo from, PawsForLifeK9 Facebook account: (1) Paws For Life K9 Rescue | Facebook

In the Media

Why Fighting California Wildfires Was the Best Prison Job I Ever Had

We were only paid $1 an hour when actively fighting a fire, but the money didn’t matter to me because we worked as a team. Sometimes we would stay at a fire for two or three weeks, and when we left, people would hold up thank-you signs. People would bring pastries, sodas or sandwiches to us. No one treated us like inmates; we were firefighters.

On the ride home in the crew-carrying vehicle, we would feel a sense of pride. Back at camp, we’d put the ’hood mentality on pause, and everybody became friends. Just as we removed the fuel that completed the fire triangle, I wondered if we could extract a piece of the hatred triangle and inspire people to love one another.

As I cycled in and out of prison over the years, I logged over 3,000 hours on the fire lines of different camps. It was the best job I ever had. Being a firefighter taught me that there’s nothing wrong with needing help, and it helped me see the unlimited possibilities of what we can achieve if we only work together.

Graphic of firefighters embracing during firefight

More than 750 members of inmate crews are helping battle burning wildfires in LA County

Crews battling the massive blazes burning across Los Angeles County include more than 750 incarcerated firefighters, bringing renewed attention to a program that has become a key part of the state’s fire mitigation efforts.

As of mid-day Thursday, Jan. 9, with the destructive Palisades and Eaton fires still raging, there were 783 inmate firefighters actively working alongside 4,700 firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Read more: More than 750 members of inmate crews are helping battle burning wildfires in LA County