CDCR Weekender, Firefighters and Camps, Inside CDCR Video

Secretary Macomber witnesses Los Angeles fire efforts

January 25, 2025

Secretary Jeff Macomber visits with incarcerated fire crews at Holton Conservation Camp.

CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber took a trip to Southern California Tuesday to see the state’s firefighting and fire relief efforts.

“It’s great to be down here in (Los Angeles) and recognize the great work our staff and incarcerated individuals have done with these wildfire efforts. To be able to talk to them and thank them in person is a great experience,” said Macomber during his Jan. 22 visit.

Watch the video (story continues below):

Alongside Undersecretary Jason Johnson, Macomber toured the base camp at the Rose Bowl Stadium. They walked around the area where incarcerated fire crews are living while they are in Pasadena fighting wildfires.

The incarcerated fire crews had notes of thanks posted on the doors of their bunkers.

“Letters (the) community members wrote to our firefighters, (is) great recognition (for) the work they are doing in the community,” said the secretary.

Touring Holton Conservation Camp

Secretary and another person walk into Holton Conservation Camp.

Executives and camp staff at Holton Conservation Camp.

Macomber then visited Holton Conservation Camp #16, approximately 20 minutes from Pasadena and where the Eaton Fire broke out.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team. My message to staff and incarcerated firefighters is I’m appreciative of the great work they are doing,” said Macomber.

“It’s great to be down here in (Los Angeles) and recognize the great work our staff and incarcerated individuals have done with these wildfire efforts.”
CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber

During his visit, he spoke with a strike team from Delta Camp and heard about their experience.

“It means so much for you to come here and show us your appreciation,” an incarcerated fire crew member told the secretary. “One of the biggest things (is) when I hear nice people come up and say thank you for helping us. It means a lot to me.”

Staff at Camp Holton also expressed their gratitude for the visit.

“Having upper management here to support us has been huge. Bringing light to the team and everything we do out here, it’s been great,” said camp commander Lt. Jason Frey.

Frey has a message for the hundreds of incarcerated fire crews on the front lines working long hours.

“Keep up the good work, you are making us proud. You are making the community proud, our CAL FIRE partners proud,” he said. “Everyone is proud of them. They are doing a great job.”

The fire in Southern California have brought renewed attention to conservation fire camp programs within CDCR.

“For the broader community, the positive coming out of this terrible situation in LA is some of the recognition our firefighters have been given,” said Macomber. “The opportunities they are getting from the camp program, I was really encouraged to see how many were in fact interested in pursuing a career in firefighting once they are released from CDCR.”

Fire crews are helping the community

The CDCR secretary looks at a letter thanking incarcerated fire crews with helping during the Los Angeles fires. — Residents sent letters of thanks to the incarcerated fire crews.

Frey said the incarcerated crews have been working in the community, helping fire relief efforts.

“These guys are out in the community daily, and it is a very good resource for the communities,” he said. “They work hard. Even when they are not fighting the fires, they do brush clearance. They do a lot of jobs that go unrecognized.”

The secretary said people in the community are grateful for the help, whether coming from an incarcerated person, CDCR staff firefighter, or a community firefighter.

“Understand that when you see an incarcerated firefighter out there working a fire line, often you won’t know whether it’s a fireman from the community or one of our staff (or incarcerated crew member). They are doing the same work and out there to help the public and the community. It just creates better public safety for us all having the fire camp program,” said Macomber.

The secretary’s visit also consisted of a tour of the Disaster Recovery Center at Pasadena City College.

“I was really impressed with the range of opportunities for community members needing assistance, whether that be from federal, state or local agencies. It is great to see support from the governor and the governor’s office throughout this fire event and the support they are providing in LA right now,” said Macomber.

Learn more about the camp program on the CDCR website.

Story and photos by Ashton Harris, information officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications