SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – A group of inmates from the Airway Heights Corrections Center is helping fight the Upriver Beacon Fire.
The inmates sign up for the program and, as long as they have a good record with the Department of Corrections, they are put on the front lines. The inmates are split up into four groups of ten. Department of Natural Resource officials said they would be at a great disadvantage without their help.
"They are bar none, one of the best fire fighters out there," said Eric Keller with DNR.
He said the inmates go through the same training as the local firefighters they are working alongside. The inmates are considered a Type 2 crew, which means they are the ones helping with initial attacks on a wildfire.
"We use them whenever we can. I'd say they make it to about 90 of our fires," Keller said.
He said they are provided food and are even paid for their work.
"This is a ten-person crew trail digging crew, they show and go to work and they do a great job," he said.
It is not just firefighting, DNR also uses inmate crews to help plant trees in land conservation projects as well. Keller said it is apparent to those working around the inmates that they are happy to be doing hard honest work.
"It's good work and if you do good work it shows pride in what you're doing," he said.
The crew boss said he has seen many cases where this program has directed inmates to a more positive path, some even continuing to pursue a career in firefighting or land conservation.