On Saturday afternoon, a significant fire broke out in a homeless encampment on Norwood Dr. in Spenard. There were multiple calls to 911, with the smoke reportedly seen as far away as Merrill Field. Propane tanks were exploding in the neighborhood, people were screaming, and flames were visible when firefighters from stations 5 and 1 pulled up.
Four homeless people in the area were given advice on where to get shelter from the city services, and the fire fighters were able to clear the scene at about 7:10 pm.
It’s become a regular occurrence in Anchorage, with homeless encampments setting the greenbelts and forests on fire, and this is just March, with fire season ahead.
Days before, a citizen reported someone who appeared to be on drugs setting fire to brush and trees at Resolution Park near downtown.
Political writer Jeff Landfield reported on March 26 a major homeless fire on the Campbell Creek Trail near the Foxridge condominiums. There were six foot flames and explosions from propane tanks in the encampment…