The number of blazes that have been reported at Seattle's homeless encampments have risen to nearly five a day in the area, prompting safety concerns and worries about depleted resources.
The latest fire was reported Wednesday morning just steps away from T-Mobile Park.
From Jan. 1 through April 3, officials said the Seattle Fire Department has responded 449 times to homeless camps for fire-related incidents, including rubbish fires and illegal burns.
That's an increase over last year when there were 290 encampment fires in the first three months. A fire department spokesperson said it is hard to quantify just how much time and effort goes into battling blazes at homeless camps.
However, the fires are draining city firefighting resources with little indication of ending anytime soon.
