Wildfires and Environmental Justice:
Exploring the inequities of wildland firefighting practices in California
An EJ analysis of firefighting institutions, the use of prison labor, and disproportionate impacts of the western fire regime
As climate change intensifies across our planet, wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity, resulting in devastation upon ecosystems and human communities. Fire is an environmental justice issue in many facets - from disparities in smoke exposure, to disaster recovery efforts, to incarcerated people being employed (or exploited?) as wildland firefighters - thus it is imperative to consider which populations are hit the hardest by these human-induced natural disasters and who is responsible for resolving the damage caused. This case investigates the complex dynamics of California's current and historical fire and forestry management practices, with a focus on the experiences of incarcerated wildfires, and introduces the work of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program.
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