LA Fire Department says nearly a third of fires involve unhoused residents

Published May 20, 2025 2:36 PM

A man speaks on a cell phone in front of a fire engine and two firefighters

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Topline:

Unhoused Angelenos were involved in nearly one-third of L.A. area fires in recent years, according to a memo from the Los Angeles Fire Department. Officials are now asking for a slice of the city’s massive homelessness budget.

Why it matters: The report approved by fire commissioners Tuesday reveals just how intertwined the department's work has become with the city's homelessness crisis.

Findings: Unhoused people were involved in 33% of the total fires the LAFD responded to between 2018 and 2024, according to department data. Over the same period, unhoused patients accounted for 12% of all ambulance calls. Last year, calls for service involving the unhoused community represented 13% of the LAFD's total call volume. The department memo also notes the unhoused community’s need for fire protection services.

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Trash fires: Rubbish fires in the L.A. area also grew by nearly five times over the past decade, according to the memo — from 5,541 in 2014 to 31,964 last year. It was the most dispatched call type in 2024, according to city fire officials. Unhoused residents were involved in 42% of rubbish fires over the past seven years.

Homelessness funds: Battalion Chief Eric Roberts argued that the department should get a share of city homelessness funds after absorbing an increase in call volumes amid the homelessness crisis.

Funding comparison: The memo also points out that the city has dedicated more funding to homelessness than to the Fire Department since 2021. In 2024-25, LAFD’s budget was about $837 million, compared to more than $960 million allocated to homelessness.