Los Piños Center
Watch the Los Piños Center Video Tour!
Corpsmembers at the Los Piños Center work to stop and slow wildfires across Riverside County and the state.
A Los Piños Corpsmember carefully sharpens his chain saw during a break on a fuel reduction project in the Cleveland National Forest.
Los Piños Center
39251 Ortega Highway
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
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Train With Us
Get paid to train! The skills and lessons you learn at the Los Piños Center will create a strong foundation for you to launch a meaningful career and transform your life.
Culinary
Los Piños Center Corpsmembers train for careers in commercial kitchens, resorts, and restaurants. The culinary crew prepares and provides meals to residents at the center.
Certifications available include:
- ServSafe Food Handler
- ServSafe Food Manager
Culinary
Emergency Response
All Corpsmembers respond to emergencies across California and beyond. Assignments can last up to 21 days in a row and Corpsmembers may work up to 16 hours in a day, earning excess pay. Crews support wildfire base camps, protect homes from flooding, remove debris, and more.
Emergency Response
Wildland Firefighting
The CCC Los Piños Center operates four wildland firefighting hand crews in collaboration with the CAL FIRE Riverside unit. Corpsmembers cut fire line, lay hose, and mop up wildland fires. They also reduce wildfire risk by removing vegetation, creating fuel breaks, and participating in prescribed burns. Crews respond to local calls and can be dispatched statewide.
Picture Yourself Here
Place yourself in these Corpsmember’s boots and envision life at the Los Piños Center.
Know Before You Go
Weather
Temperatures at the Los Piños Center average highs of 95 °F in the summer and overnight lows of 42 °F in the winter.
Lodging
Food & housing costs $500 per month. Corpsmembers live in one of five dormitories with as many as three people per room.
Activities
Join Los Piños’ Corpsmember Advisory Board to organize volunteer events, plan recreation trips, and build community.
Find Your Path
Work with CCC career navigators to chart out your path to success. We can help you leverage your training to launch meaningful careers and pursue educational opportunities. Don’t just take our word for it, check out this alum story.
“The CCC gave me all the proper training as well as certifications to excel in a job at CAL FIRE. Without the CCC I couldn’t have done it. It’s definitely pushed me to my limits physically and mentally when it comes to fighting fire. It also forced leadership skills out of me that I didn’t realize I was ready for.”
Ask Us Anything
Talk to A Recruiter
Facility Questions
Do Corpsmembers need to sign in or out when they leave the center’s campus?
Yes, Corpsmembers must sign in and out if leaving center grounds. This provides staff with a known count of Corpsmembers on campus and eases emergency call backs when necessary.
Does the center of a gym I can use?
Yes, the center does have a gym building which includes various workout equipment as well as a full indoor basketball court. The gym is available for Corpsmember use during all off-duty hours. Fire crews may also use the facility as part of their physical training regiment.
Corpsmembers must review basic gym safety and etiquette to use.
Are there computers I can use at the center?
Yes, the center has one desktop and 18 laptop computers available for Corpsmember use. Corpsmembers are able to use the computers for resume building, job searching and completion of online courses. Laptops must be checked out. Computers are only available during off-duty hours.
Can I park my personal vehicle on the center property?
Yes, Corpsmembers have assigned parking spots at the Los Piños Center.
Corpsmembers must provide driver license, proof of insurance, and current registration in order to park at the center. Additionally, Corpsmembers will need to take the defensive driver training. The Corpsmember’s name must be listed on the insurance for the vehicle.
CaWill my personal cell phone get reception at the center?
Only AT&T has consistent signal on the center’s property. All other providers may have weak to no signal strength.
Does the center offer all gender dorms or rooms?
The center does not have all gender housing but is able to assign dorms based on Corpsmember preference.
We encourage interested recruits to work with their Recruiter to discuss options.
Community Living Questions
Do Corpsmembers need to sign in or out when they leave the center’s campus?
Yes, Corpsmembers must sign in and out if leaving center grounds. This provides staff with a known count of Corpsmembers on campus and eases emergency call backs when necessary.
Are there quiet hours at the center?
Yes. We ask Corpsmembers keep in mind the noise level for their neighbors.
The center’s quiet hours are:
- 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Nightly
Does the center have counseling services available?
The center may offer in-person or walk-in counseling opportunities, as funding permits. Virtual appointments may also be available.
Will the Los Piños Center help me get my driver license?
Possibly. When the center has available funding it works to contract with a service provider to help with driving lessons and testing.
Can my friends and family visit me at the center?
Yes, but visitors are only allowed during off-hours.
What should I bring to my residential center?
Your Recruiter will give you a packing list when you are assigned to a center. Generally, dorms are equipped with lockers having minimal closet space. It’s recommended to pack light. Once Corpsmembers have been settled into the program and into regular Corpsmember rooms with larger lockers, they can bring more items.
Are special dietary needs accommodated?
Yes. Culinary staff at our residential centers prepare a variety of meals catering to the different ethnic and cultural backgrounds of our Corpsmembers. They serve traditional, vegetarian, and vegan meals which are all well-balanced, nutritious, and delicious.
Crew Questions
Am I able to join a fire crew immediately?
Yes, the center only offers training in wildland firefighting or culinary. Corpsmembers must be able to go directly into fire training and the fire crews upon enrollment.
Corpsmembers should work with the Recruiter on the fire fitness tracker to ensure they’ll be able to pass the initial physical training required to go through fire training.
What if I am not able to pass the pack test?
If Corpsmembers are unable to pass the arduous capacity test, known as the pack test, they may be required to either work in the kitchen until they are able to pass or will be offered a chance to transfer to another CCC residential center.
Since the center only offers wildland firefighting and culinary training opportunities, there is no space for Corpsmembers who are unable to meet the physical requirements.
Read Center News
CCC wildland firefighting hand crews are ready for peak wildfire season after months of training and physical fitness.
