According to estimates from Cal Fire, more than 4 million acres in the state burned in 2020 and another 3 million have been lost to blazes in 2021. The fires have destroyed thousands of homes and claimed dozens of lives. And the realities of global climate change suggest that this destruction is likely to be a new normal for the state.

But because of a firefighter shortage, around 30% of firefighters in the state are inmates or remain incarcerated. But what Pine Grove does is a little different. Pine Grove is a state juvenile justice facility where incarcerated boys and young men between the ages of 17 and 24 are trained to fight fires. 

In fact, it’s the last “fire camp” for incarcerated youth in the state.

To risk their lives fighting fires, they earn between $2.20 and $4 an hour. California firefighters who are not incarcerated typically earn more than $40 an hour. Still, these jobs feel unattainable to the young people of Pine Grove after their release, many of whom are now trained but can't find permanent jobs in the field. 

Joining us for the discussion is Sara Tardiff, freelance reporter for Teen Vogue, who looked into the Pine Grove facility and California's incarcerated firefighting industry.