FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — As we inch closer to winter, low clouds and fog have engulfed the Central Valley, making the nights extra chilly.
Across Fresno, warming fires have ignited, raising concerns among first responders.
Fresno City Fire said the unhoused community is suspected of starting 3,617 fires this year. That is 33% more than at this time last year.
But one nonprofit is aiming to help those left out in the cold.
The Fresno Mission CEO, Matthew Dildine, said the nonprofit is the only warming center open throughout the winter.
“Our cold, while the temperatures may not say they’re freezing, it really does feel like it’s freezing because it’s such a wet cold,” said Dildine.
The CEO said they’re welcoming more people into the warming centers this year.
Through reorganizing their shelter space and a generous donation from Community Regional Medical Center, they’ve expanded their centers.
On Monday night, the organization welcomed about 85 people. Dildine says that’s about 10 more people than the previous night.
“Whenever it gets cold in Fresno, we’re gonna open up this warming crisis so there’s always a dependable place to go when everything else is closed,” said Dildine.
The nonprofit CEO understands the extreme need to keep warm, but he’s concerned with people getting hurt or even dying as a result of seeking warmth.
“Even warming fires don’t keep someone warm all night. They can’t sleep next to a warming fire,” said Dildine.
Altogether, between the two warming shelters, Dildine said they can welcome up to 180 people a night.
It’s all to make sure those who need a warm place to sleep are safe.
“Sometimes, you just have to save somebody’s life. And that’s what the warming centers are really about. They’re about responding to a crisis; they’re an emergency room for people,” said Dildine.
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