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Media personality and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian advocates for inmates fighting the LA fires and requests a pay raise. The 44-year-old took to her Instagram stories this weekend urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to increase the pay, writing:
"On all 5 fires in Los Angeles, there are hundreds of incarcerated firefighters, risking their lives to save us," she added, "They get almost nothing, risk their lives, some have died, to prove to the community that they have changed and are now first responders."
According to NPR, California has relied on using prisoners to help curb wildfires since 1915. Per the California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website, inmates can volunteer at the department's Conservation Fire Camps Program. They are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day with a bonus of a dollar per hour during active emergencies.
As screenshots of Kim Kardashian's story went viral, internet users were quick to comment. One referencing her sister Khloe's recent remarks about Mayor Karen Bass (called her a joke for cutting down LAFD's budget) wrote:
"She definitely tryna take the heat off of Khloe saying that stupid BS about the mayor."
Many commented in support of Kim, noting she frequently speaks up for the right. Here are some comments seen under @theshaderoom's post on X:
Others were skeptical of her stance.
"I see them as heroes" — Kim Kardashian on the incarcerated firefighters
Los Angeles County has been battling raging wildfires since Tuesday, January 7. What started as a bushfire in the Pacific Palisades spread across 36,000 acres by Saturday (including the Hidden Hills area in Kenneth where Kim Kardashian's home was located). The disaster was fueled by the high Santa Ana winds (80-100 mph).
In her stories, Kim thanked the emergency responders, including the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the various fire departments, and the firefighters.
"I have spent the last week watching my city burning. And have seen and spoken to many firefighters who are up all night long using every ounce of their strength to save our community," Kim Kardashian wrote.
Advocating for the inmates who volunteer for firefighting work, Kim Kardashian explained they are paid $1/hr to "risk their lives." She added that the rate has remained as such since 1984, despite "inflation," "worse" fires, and many dying. She also noted that the incarcerated firefighters work in 24-hour shifts.
"This year there was an agreement to raise the incarcerated firefighter pay to $5/hour, but it got shot down last minute," Kim revealed.
She continued to urge Gov. Newsom to bring about the change.
She also expressed her gratitude to the firefighters from the "Ventura Training Center" for helping her community. She noted that they were "formerly incarcerated" who have been released and continue to serve the community.
Kim Kardashian explained it was in part due to bills passed by the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, an organization that works towards reducing mass incarceration in California, adding:
"Due to bills passed by @antirecidivismcoalition, these guys can now get their sentences reduced, expunging the felonies from their records for their fire service. And when they come home can get six figure jobs working for the fire department."
According to the BBC, over 1,000 incarcerated personnel (men and women) have been helping fight the LA fires. They are generally seen wearing orange jumpsuits.
According to NBC News, the fires have swept through 40,000 acres of land, destroying over 12,300 structures, and at least 24 people have lost their lives. While fires have been contained in several areas, firefighters continue to battle ones in Palisades and Eaton. About 105,000 residents remain under evacuation orders.
