The pool for inmate fire crews is shrinking after a bill lessening crimes went into effect in California, according to Cal Fire Public Information Officer Issac Sanchez.
A record breaking wet winter led to a superbloom of epic proportions across San Diego County. New growth that will dry out and turn to tinder this summer, according to fire officials .
"We are poised daily, year round now to fight wildfire," Cal Fire Director Thom Porter said.
Cal Fire relying on every resource to lend a hand if necessary.
Our sister station in Redding reported last year one particular kind of crew is running low. Easy to see in their orange fire gear, volunteer inmate crews help firefighters by completing tasks like digging fire breaks.
Last year they had a "brown out" where they had to deactivate a crew to keep the others adequately staffed.