Inmate firefighters worked to dig containment lines as they fought the Palisades Fire on January 10, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. By that date, the wildfire had spread to over 22,000 acres, destroying thousands of homes and being only 11% contained.
On January 12, 2025, inmate firefighters in their distinctive orange gear were seen organizing equipment near a Cal Fire truck in the Mandeville Canyon area of Los Angeles as the fire continued its devastating spread. Officials warned that strong and dangerous winds were expected to worsen the situation, pushing the flames further into residential neighborhoods. The wildfire had already claimed the lives of at least 24 people, reducing entire neighborhoods to ashes and displacing thousands.
This relentless fire left first responders grappling with hazardous conditions while communities endured widespread destruction and loss.
