Seattle FD crews responded to 1,538 encampment fires in 2022 1/4/2023

[mack]

Seattle FD crews responded to 1,538 encampment fires in 2022​

After last year's number increased sharply from 2020, the mayor increased the budget by 50% for new recruits

Seattle FD crews responded to 1,538 encampment fires in 2022

After last year's number increased sharply from 2020, the mayor increased the budget by 50% for new recruits

www.firerescue1.com

 

[1261Truckie]

Big problem out here. Any similiar activity elsewhere?

 

[entropychaser]

At least the fire loss for the city shouldn't change much. Are these classified as structural. or outside rubbish?

 

[mack]

Big problem out here. Any similiar activity elsewhere?

These are some of the many homeless encampment fires reported within the past 2 months. There are probably countless unreported minor fires, emergencies, ODs, false alarms and EMS runs all over the US and Canada. Accurate fire statistics are not available, like most homeless and migrant data. Departments may not even have categories to differentiate homeless fire incidents which may be recorded as garbage or outdoor fires. Politicians seek funds, not facts or viable solutions. Sadly, there are fatalities associated with these incidents. There are also significant safety and health risks which cause injuries and illnesses for FFs, EMS and POs who respond to help people in homeless camps. Problems, incidents and fatalities will most likely continue to increase.


Colorado

Homeless camp fire closes street in Canon City on Thursday

Part of a Canon City street was closed on Thursday for a homeless camp fire.

www.kktv.com

Colorado Springs residents living near site of homeless camp fire and murder relieved as clean-up begins | KRDO

Wednesday, El Paso County clean-up crews began clearing out a property that was the site of an October fire at a homeless camp and a subsequent murder. Many Colorado Springs residents living nearby said they endured two years of problems with trash, loud noises, and crime.

krdo.com

Tennessee

4 Tents Burn In Fire At 12th Street Homeless Camp

California

1 injured in homeless camp fire

A woman was hospitalized after suffering burns in a homeless encampment fire in the Arden area, the Sacramento Fire Department said Wednesday night.

www.cbsnews.com

Woman injured in homeless camp fire in Arden area

A woman was hospitalized after suffering burns in a homeless encampment fire in the Arden area, the Sacramento Fire Department said Wednesday night.

www.cbsnews.com

Kentucky

Fire destroys a homeless camp under an I-65 underpass

A fire broke out at a homeless camp under a I-65 underpass on South Brook Street and East Caldwell Street.

www.wave3.com

Kansas

Fatal fire at homeless camp near Topeka Rescue Mission

One person has died in a fire that took place at a homeless camp near the Topeka Rescue Mission early Friday morning.

www.wibw.com

New Hampshire

Concord Firefighters Douse Early Morning Homeless Camp Fire: Watch

Firefighters were again called to a campsite underneath the Water Street bridge after heavy black smoke was reported on Monday.

patch.com

Fire burns at homeless encampment under I-293 overpass in Manchester

An overpass on I-293 in Manchester has been determined to be safe after a fire at a homeless camp burned under it Wednesday morning.

www.wmur.com

Washington

20-gallon gasoline spill | Fire blotter | Auburn Reporter

Between Dec. 19 and Jan. 1, the Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 688 total 9-1-1 calls for service, among which were the following.

www.auburn-reporter.com

Arizona

Permanent campers: Rising rents are pushing people to live on public lands

Rising rents are causing more people to camp long-term on public lands. The increase of campers has locals and forest officials on edge.

www.azcentral.com

Winnipeg (Canada)

Firefighters again called to a fire at a Winnipeg homeless camp - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca

Fire tore through a homeless camp in the same block of Higgins Avenue Monday morning.

globalnews.ca

Regina (Canada)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/fire-breaks-out-at-regina-homeless-encampment-1.6685214

 

[1261Truckie]

Thanks, Mack

 

[entropychaser]

The homeless population of Seattle/Kings Co. is estimated between 13,000 and 40,000. Considering the numbers plus the high prevalence of drugs/alcohol, smoking, mental illness, and open fires, this workload for the SFD doesn't appear that bad comparing it to a similar sized city. Arson investigations usually aren't needed unless there are injuries. Also, fire prevention would be a waste of money in this setting. Where would you put the smoke detector?

 

[68jk09]

^^^^^^ Actually a Smoke Detector could be useful in certain alternate living situations like a tent ...a shack or a car etc. .....it could provide a warning....I had a friend who often would make a long car trip to visit his Son at a college....he told me after driving the distance he felt fine but sometime he would have some time to kill before the visiting hours started so he would take a nap but not feel so good after the nap with his car running in the Winter....I told him to get a home CO detector & put it in the car .....sure enough after napping he was getting a reading ......a detector placed anywhere can be a lifesaver.

 

[entropychaser]

Homelessness looks to be a good living- for somebody.

California has 12% of the US population and 50% of the homeless population. This is estimated to be 115,000 people. Last year California state homeless spending was $4.25 billion. This year its' budget will be $7.95 billion. This translates to $69,130 per homeless person per year.

Now, this is just a wild (WAG) guess on my part. I don't think these folks will be getting a monthly state paycheck of $5,317,
But someone is.

Last year the Oakland Fire Department responded to 816 homeless camp fires- 63 at just one location,