More than 1,100 inmates in the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation — a group that has historically made up 30% of the California wildfire force — helped battle the Palisades and Eaton fires. They currently earn $5.80 to $10.24 a day, according to the department’s website.

A proposed California bill could increase pay for inmate firefighters housed in county jails and state prisons. Assembly Bill 247, if approved, would require jail inmates assigned to work active fire scenes to be paid $19 hourly.