In the fire-ravaged region of Spokane, Washington, an unconventional group of first responders has emerged to hold the line against one of the area’s most pressing active wildfire threats. Known as the Arcadia 20 team, this crew is made up entirely of individuals who have previously served time in the state’s correctional system, and they are now working on the front lines to stop the Autumn Lane fire from expanding into populated and ecologically sensitive areas.
The Autumn Lane fire, which remains active after days of burning, continues to put vast swathes of Spokane’s outlying communities and wildlands at elevated risk, forcing evacuations and putting enormous strain on local firefighting resources. As regional fire departments struggle to keep up with the demands of fast-spreading blazes fueled by dry conditions and high winds, the Arcadia 20 team has stepped into a critical role, conducting controlled burn operations, clearing fire breaks, and reinforcing containment lines to slow the fire’s advance.
What makes this deployment particularly notable is the team’s unique composition: for decades, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people have been invited to contribute to wildfire response efforts across the western United States, bringing on-the-ground experience and a strong work ethic to high-risk fire zones. For members of Arcadia 20, the role also offers a pathway to reintegration, allowing former inmates to contribute directly to public safety while building new skills and connections to their communities.
As fire activity remains high across much of the Pacific Northwest, the work of the Arcadia 20 team underscores both the growing strain on wildfire response resources and the innovative approaches communities are taking to protect their residents from the increasing threat of large-scale wildfires.