In Los Angeles County in southern California, several large fires are being extinguished and have been burning the western and northern outskirts of the city since Tuesday. Nearly 1,000 prisoner firefighters are taking part in the action – the Washington Post website reported on Sunday. The element has already claimed the lives of at least 16 people. Meteorologists warn against the return of strong winds.
Fires east of Los Angeles, mainly in Eaton, caused the most deaths, with 11. The remaining five confirmed deaths were reported in Pacific Palisades, west of the metropolitan area. About 16,000 hectares burned and over 12,000 were destroyed. buildings.
According to fire brigade information quoted by American media, just over 10 percent of the Palisades fire was contained on Saturday and about 27 percent of the fire was contained. Eaton, which quickly became one of the deadliest fires in California. The fire was contained in the Mandeville Canyon, west of Los Angeles, which is difficult due to the terrain. The fight against fire continues, among others, in the considered to be exclusive district of Brentwood, in the western part of the city.
As of Saturday evening local time, more than 150,000 people were under evacuation orders. people in the Los Angeles County area.
Burnt houses in Pacific PalisadesPAP/EPA/ALLISON DINNER
The wind is about to pick up again
Currently, the greatest concern for firefighters is the Santa Ana wind – a dry, desert foehn. Forecasts say gusts exceeding 50-58 kilometers per hour. As a result, the highest red alert has been issued in the eastern part of Los Angeles County.
– We are afraid that the wind strength will increase on Sunday evening and will remain so until Wednesday – said Rose Schoenfield from the American Meteorological Institute, quoted by the Los Angeles Times website. – Overall, it doesn't look good – she added.
Nearly 1,000 prisoner firefighters put out fires
American and international fire crews, including those from Canada and Mexico, are participating in extinguishing the fires.
The fires are also extinguished by almost 1,000 firefighters serving sentences in prison. The program for prisoner firefighters (and women prisoners, because women also participate) has been operating in California for about 80 years. Prisoners interested in participating must meet security requirements (they cannot be convicted of rape or other sexual crimes, arson or escape) and undergo two weeks of training, explained Smithsonian magazine. There are also only prisoner fire crews, quartered in so-called fire camps – you can spend up to seven years there. Although the number of prisoner firefighters has fluctuated over the years, they often constituted about one-third of California's fire force.
Firefighters extinguishing a fire in the Woodland Hills district of Los AngelesPAP/EPA/ALLISON DINNER
They earn small amounts. Currently, it is a maximum of $10.24 a day – reported the New York Times website. For each hour of emergency work, they receive an additional $1. Thus, per day of work, prisoner firefighters earn less than the minimum wage in California ($16.50 per hour) and much less than other services. Firefighters employed by the city of Los Angeles earn upwards of $85,000 a year.
Additionally, prisoner firefighters have up to two days deducted from their sentence for each day of service in the fire brigade. Prisoner firefighters work voluntarily, they cannot be forced to take part in the operation. They do not operate fire trucks – they use “hand tools”, they also work as support staff for other emergency services workers – reported the “NYT” website. They are most often called to forest fires. They try to cut off the fire by making cuts, using shovels, axes and chain saws.
Criticism of the authorities
Criticism of state and city officials for failing to adequately respond to the events of recent days continues unabated. Part of the local community accuses the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, that the city authorities did not warn residents in time or adequately prepare to fight the fires.
After the outbreak, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley announced that the city council had reduced this year's budget of the service she manages by as much as $17 million. She emphasized that this has a measurable impact on the effectiveness of the fight against current fires.
The issue that arouses the most emotions are city hydrants, where water either did not flow at all or only lasted a few hours. California Governor Gavin Newsome ordered an investigation into the matter and announced the punishment of those responsible. For this reason, the democratic authorities of the city and state criticize, among others, opponents from the Republican Party. On Sunday, the US president-elect once again spoke on the matter. “The fires are still raging in Los Angeles. Incompetent politicians have no idea how to put them out,” wrote Donald Trump on social media.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/ALLISON DINNER