CDCR-Cuesta Conservation Camp #24

You can support your loved ones at Cuesta Camp 24 on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 805-547-7971.

Cuesta Camp 24 is a minimum-security facility under CDCR supervision, this camp plays a crucial role in supporting government agencies during emergency responses to wildfires, floods, and other natural or man-made disasters. Additionally, camp crews contribute to park maintenance, assist with flood mitigation through sandbagging, and participate in reforestation projects. Participation in the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program is entirely voluntary for incarcerated individuals. Those who choose to volunteer must meet specific eligibility criteria aimed at ensuring public safety. These include avenues for criminal record expungement, creating new pathways for employment, and aiding in their successful reintegration into society.

Cuesta Camp #24 stands as a vital institution-based firefighting camp jointly operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Situated on leased property from the California National Guard at Camp San Luis Obispo, the camp plays a pivotal role in the state's firefighting efforts, with a primary mission to provide incarcerated hand crews to combat fires across California. Additionally, fire crews at Cuesta engage in year-round conservation and community service projects, contributing to the well-being of the state and its residents.

Established on May 1, 1962, as CAL FIRE's 24th conservation camp, Cuesta is strategically located approximately six miles west of San Luis Obispo on State Highway 1. The camp boasts a capacity of 100 individuals and trains its incarcerated crew members to become proficient firefighters. Under the guidance of the camp's training captain, crew members undergo a comprehensive 67-hour firefighter course, equipping them with the skills to utilize mechanized power tools such as chainsaws, weed whackers, and chippers. The camp's classroom facilities are often utilized by the local CAL FIRE Training Bureau as an additional training site.

Cuesta Conservation Camp #24 places a strong emphasis on preparedness, coordinating annual crew exercises to ensure readiness for firefighting operations. The camp's diverse terrain, including areas of coastal brush and diseased pine forests, provides an ideal training ground for fire line construction and tree-felling practice. In addition to firefighting training, hand crews at Cuesta actively engage in conservation projects determined by CAL FIRE, collaborating with volunteers to undertake tasks such as hazardous vegetation removal, trail maintenance, and fuel break construction.

The camp's conservation efforts extend to various state parks and recreational areas, including Morro Bay State Park, Montana de Oro State Park, and Hearst Castle State Park, where crews work on projects ranging from tree removal to trail construction and maintenance. Cuesta's commitment to community service is exemplified through its involvement in repairing and reconstructing historical sites, improving accessibility at recreational areas, and contributing to local environmental restoration initiatives.

A notable in-camp project at Cuesta is its silkscreen print shop, which produces wildland safety gear for state firefighters, demonstrating the camp's dedication to supporting firefighting efforts beyond its operational boundaries. Furthermore, Cuesta offers a range of rehabilitative and educational services to its participants, including substance abuse programs, religious services, and opportunities for GED and college courses. Through their involvement in these activities and their contributions during emergencies, camp participants develop valuable skills, cultivate a strong work ethic, and gain a sense of self-worth, ultimately preparing them for successful reintegration into their communities upon release.