California prisoner wildfire fighter shortage

Gov. Newsom Signs Bill That Expunges Records Of Ex-Con Wildfire Fighters

September 11, 2020 2:43 pmSeptember 12, 2020 8:01 am

On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that will allow former non-violent prisoner firefighters to have their records expunged to allow them to be hired as firefighters. A bill that may help solve the desperate need for...

Early COVID-19 Prisoner Release Leads To Severe Wildfire Fighter Shortage

August 25, 2020 5:55 pmFebruary 25, 2021 11:33 am

On Tuesday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) announced that, due to COVID-19 prison releases, the number of inmate wildfire fighters has left the state at least 600 wildfire fighters short of where they have been...