In San Diego, over 1,100 fires in 2023 were linked to homeless encampments, representing nearly 20% of all city fires. This data, revealed by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, is part of a troubling trend; encampment fires have surged amid dry conditions and high winds. County officials are considering clearing encampments on high-risk wildfire days and a broader camping ban, while advocates caution that such measures could hinder efforts to assist the homeless population. The complexity of the issue is underlined by the fact that an estimated 5,000 out of 29,600 fires were likely started near these camps over five years.
More than 1,100 fires in San Diego last year may have begun in homeless encampments, amounting to almost a fifth of all blazes in the city.
Encampment fires have been under the spotlight in recent weeks as a lack of rain, low humidity and high winds helped fan flames up and down Southern California.
Data from the city of San Diego helps clarify the scope of the problem. The fire department responded to more than 29,600 blazes of all kinds during the past five years.
Advocates for homeless people have argued that punitive measures may only make it harder to find, and therefore help, those sleeping outside.
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