On Thursday, June 5, 2025, the California Assembly has advanced legislation authored by Assembly member Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) aimed at increasing pay for incarcerated individuals who serve as frontline wildfire firefighters, risking their lives for just dollars a day.
“Today with resounding bipartisan support the State Assembly has approved a pay raise for the incarcerated heroes who protect us all during dangerous wildfires,” said Assembly member Bryan.
“It’s time to do what’s right, fair, and just. Pay all the heroes.”
Assembly Bill 247 passed off the Assembly Floor with bipartisan support and 20 co-authors, including Assembly member Heath Flora, the Republican Floor Leader and a former firefighter.
The bill would provide a wage of $7.25 per hour—the federal minimum wage—for incarcerated hand crew members during active firefighting. Currently, these workers receive as little as $5 a day.
In January of this year, over 1,000 incarcerated firefighters were deployed to the Los Angeles area to battle the Eaton and the Palisades fires, designated by CAL FIRE as the second and third moost destructive wildfires in state history, respectively.
The bill has garnered the support of over 40 organizations as well as high-profile support from public figures including singer John Legend. “[I’ve] seen the bravery of our incarcerated firefighters first hand.” Legend shared. “Nobody fighting to protect the lives of others should be earning less than the federal minimum wage.” According to a 2018 report, incarcerated hand crew members are over eight times more likely than professional firefighters to suffer smoke-related injuries and four times more likely to experience physical injuries, such as dislocations or fractures.
Between 2017 and 2018, three incarcerated firefighters lost their lives while battling wildfires.
AB 247 now heads to the Senate, where it will continue to gain momentum.
Assembly District 55