Kim Kardashian has spoken out in support of the incarcerated firefighters risking their lives to combat the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
On January 11, the 44-year-old reality star shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing her gratitude to the brave firefighters working tirelessly to contain the devastating fires that have ravaged the city. The fires, which started earlier in the week, have already claimed 16 lives, according to NBC News.
Kardashian took to her Instagram Story, saying, “I have spent the last week watching my city burning and have seen and spoken to many firefighters who are up all night long using every ounce of their strength to save our community.” She expressed deep thanks to the @calfire, LA County Fire, and Los Angeles City Fire departments for their heroic efforts in saving lives, homes, and property.
The beauty mogul went on to highlight the contributions of incarcerated firefighters, emphasizing that many are putting their lives at risk while being paid almost nothing. “On all five fires in Los Angeles, there are hundreds of incarcerated firefighters, risking their lives to save us,” she wrote. “They get paid almost nothing, some have died, to prove to the community that they have changed and are now first responders. I see them as heroes.”
Kardashian also drew attention to the longstanding issue of the firefighters’ low pay, revealing that they have been paid just $1 per hour since 1984. She criticized the lack of adjustment for inflation and the growing severity of fires over the years, noting that a proposal to raise their pay to $5 an hour was rejected last minute.
Urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to act, Kardashian called for a raise in the pay of incarcerated firefighters to a rate that reflects the danger they face. “I am urging @cagovernor to do what no governor has done in 4 decades… raise the incarcerated firefighter pay to a rate that honors a human being risking their life to save our lives and homes,” she wrote.
Kardashian’s appeal underscores the need for greater recognition and fair compensation for incarcerated firefighters who perform critical and dangerous work to protect communities from catastrophic fires.
