Kim Kardashian issues demand after prisoners who saved lives in LA wildfires are paid pennies
By Steve Ireri, March 20, 2026Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has issued a stern warning over the low pay given to prisoners who risked their lives fighting the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, calling for urgent reforms to ensure fair compensation for incarcerated workers.
The SKIMS founder and reality star spoke out after recalling the heroics of inmate firefighters who battled last year’s wildfires, describing the work they performed as “life-threatening and heroic” despite being compensated with mere pennies an hour. Kardashian emphasised that these prisoners were performing the same dangerous tasks as professional firefighters, yet their efforts went largely unrecognised and underpaid.
“I personally watched incarcerated people who risked their lives battling the massive wildfires in Los Angeles last year. They showed so much bravery and commitment doing the same dangerous work as professional firefighters, but they were paid just a few dollars a day,” she said while speaking to People on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Kardashian expressed concern over the systemic inequalities faced by incarcerated firefighters, noting that many of them are barred from applying for firefighting jobs once released.
She warned that this not only denies them opportunities for meaningful employment but also perpetuates a cycle of marginalisation.
The reality star has backed legislation introduced by Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, which seeks to guarantee that incarcerated workers earn the federal minimum wage and eliminate excessive deductions for fees, fines, and living costs.
“In many cases, they’re banned from even applying for firefighting jobs once they’re released. That’s not just unfair, it’s un-American,” she added.
According to Kardashian, the sight of prisoners battling the wildfires firsthand left a lasting impression on her.
She recalled watching them work 24-hour shifts in perilous conditions during the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires. She highlighted that some prisoners lost their lives, while others risked severe injury, all while receiving less than $1 (Ksh 129) an hour for decades.
She pointed out that attempts to raise their pay to $5 per hour were blocked at the last minute, despite the rising severity and frequency of wildfires in California.
“On all five fires in Los Angeles, there are hundreds of incarcerated firefighters risking their lives to save us. They were working 24-hour shifts on both the Palisades and Eaton Fires. They get paid almost nothing, risk their lives, some have died to prove to the community that they have changed and are now first responders. I see them as heroes,” she lamented.
Kardashian urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to take unprecedented action, noting that no governor in the past four decades has adjusted the compensation for these inmate firefighters to match the danger they face. She described the prisoners as true heroes whose bravery and commitment deserve public recognition and proper remuneration.
The reality star also took the time to thank all the professional firefighters and volunteers who fought the fires, acknowledging the immense personal and physical sacrifices required during the disaster.
“I am urging Governor Gavin Newsom to do what no governor has done in four decades and raise the incarcerated firefighter pay to a rate that honours a human being risking their life to save our lives and homes,” Kim said.
LA Wildfires
The Los Angeles wildfires of 2025 were among the most destructive in the city’s recent history.
Strong winds, dry conditions, and high temperatures fuelled several infernos, including the Pacific Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire.
Together, these fires destroyed homes, forced mass evacuations, and tragically claimed over 31 lives. Hundreds of inmates were deployed as part of volunteer firefighting crews, often working side by side with professional fire teams.
These incarcerated firefighters battled the flames in extreme conditions, working 24-hour shifts and facing life-threatening hazards, yet their compensation had remained almost unchanged since 1984.