VIDEO: As temperatures continue to drop overnight, Fresno fire officials warn about the dangers of “warming” fires as those in the unhoused community try to find shelter.
Fire officials say you do not want to risk your life just to stay warm, if you need a place to stay head to your local shelter or warming center.
“We’ve seen homeless encampment fires, vacant buildings go up in flames and we’ve seen people killed as a result,” said Jonathan Lopez with Fresno Fire. Lopez says they see more and more warming fires in the colder months of the year.
“When you have folks who are trying to keep themselves warm in these cold temps in encampments, those fires can be knocked over, then careless people can drop things into the fire that causes the fire to spread,” he added.
Lopez says not only is starting a fire dangerous for the person trying to stay warm but when firefighters respond, those resources are tied up from other areas in the city.