A 'brush with catastrophe': Close call with Hughes fire stirs concerns about jail safety
Briefly

During the Hughes fire, which began on January 22, inmates at Pitchess Detention Center faced smoke and danger from flames near their facility. The local Sheriff's Department decided against a full evacuation, opting to keep the inmates sheltered in a more secure area. This decision, influenced by fire experts and safety assessments, mirrored past strategies used in similar emergencies to protect those inside, including the reassurance provided by Sheriff Robert Luna regarding inmate safety amidst the impending threat.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department ultimately decided to shelter inmates in place during the Hughes fire, citing safety protocols and risk assessments.
Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized protecting the safety of inmates, stating, 'I'm not willing to lose one person at that facility.'
Read at Los Angeles Times
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