Wildfire threat grows as California homeless fires explode by 475% in a decade

Los Angeles, California – Nearly a third of all firefighting responses in Los Angeles over the past seven years have been tied to homelessness, according to a new report from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which is now calling for a share of the billions the city spends on homeless relief to bolster its $838 million budget.

Between 2018 and 2024, LAFD responded to 232,266 fire calls, with 32.9%—over 76,000—connected to persons experiencing homelessness (PEH). A memo from Battalion Chief Eric Roberts highlighted a staggering 475% increase in rubbish fires, 42% of which were linked to homelessness.

The report underscores growing strain on the department as homelessness rises and fire-related incidents involving unhoused individuals spike—now approaching 17,000 annually citywide. The memo also noted PEH made up nearly 12% of medical calls, although that number is likely undercounted due to current reporting protocols.

Amid a looming $1 billion city deficit, Mayor Karen Bass has ordered agencies to cut between $500 million and $900 million. The LAFD’s call for increased funding comes as city homelessness spending between 2024 and 2025—estimated at $960 million—exceeds the department’s entire budget.

The issue came into stark focus during January’s destructive fire season, with blazes like the Sunset Fire near the Hollywood Hills forcing mass evacuations. Local residents, including Pete Boeschenstein, blame unhoused encampments for fires near homes—often after warnings to authorities went unanswered.

According to the report, a sharp rise in fires involving the homeless since 2019. Officials like District Attorney Nathan Hochman and Sheriff Luna say legal and enforcement tools are returning after years of scaled-back prosecutions.

“We will actually hold people accountable,” Hochman said, pledging stronger action on quality-of-life crimes such as arson and trespassing moving forward.