Frustration over ongoing garbage, encampment fires along Wood Street
Garbage and encampment fires in West Oakland pose a ongoing public safety threat
People who live and work in the area of Wood Street in West Oakland say illegal dumping and encampment fires pose an ongoing public safety threat. They are calling on the city leaders to do more to keep the area clean so prevent fires.
OAKLAND, Calif. - Residents and workers around West Oakland's Wood Street are urging city leaders to take more action against illegal dumping and garbage fires, which they say pose a public safety threat.
The city dismantled a large encampment in the area about two years ago, which is credited with reducing encampment fires citywide.
A longtime business owner in West Oakland expressed frustration and called on city leaders to do more to keep the area clean and prevent fires.
A pile of garbage on Wood Street was set on fire under Interstate 880.
Alan Lucchesi, owner of Soundwave Studios nearby, shared video of the fire that started Monday shortly before 5 p.m. He pointed to the spot where the fire began, showing a garbage pile that included tires and debris.
"We have a problem down here with trash building up in the streets and then getting lit on fire, and that's been causing mayhem and destruction," Lucchesi said.
That destruction may include a fire last month, where a person was found dead near or in a vehicle that caught fire in the area. Last June, Pacific Supply, a construction materials business, was severely damaged by fire.
Neighbors said someone set a pile of garbage outside on fire, which spread to the building.
According to the Oakland Fire Department, the number of homeless encampment fires has dropped citywide. Last year, there were 1,100, down from 1,700 in 2023.
"Still far too many, still incredibly dangerous, still very hazardous to both firefighters, residents, neighbors, vehicle traffic," said Oakland Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt. He said dismantling the large homeless encampment on Wood Street, which started in 2022, helped lower the number of encampment fires.
"We always encourage residents to report 311 and in the event of a fire, always call 911, and we'll have a crew as fast as possible to mitigate that fire," Hunt said.
Tifa Silver and her dog, Peso, live in a nearby tiny home. She said the frequent fires are a safety concern.
"It worries me. I get worried about my dog because sometimes, they get loose," she said.
At Soundwave Studios, publicist Timothy Hill said safety is a top concern when they come to rehearse at the studio.
"It's dangerous and unsafe. Some of us sometimes, we only want to come down during the day and not in the evening," said Hill.
Businesses and residents want the city to pay more attention to West Oakland.
"The trash removal, managing the encampments in a way that businesses can survive alongside the current situation," Lucchesi said.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU.