FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — As we inch closer to winter, low clouds and fog have engulfed the Central Valley, making the nights extra chilly.<\/p>\n
Across Fresno, warming fires have ignited, raising concerns among first responders.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But one nonprofit is aiming to help those left out in the cold.<\/p>\n
The Fresno Mission CEO, Matthew Dildine, said the nonprofit is the only warming center open throughout the winter.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
The CEO said they’re welcoming more people into the warming centers this year.<\/p>\n
Through reorganizing their shelter space and a generous donation from Community Regional Medical Center, they’ve expanded their centers.<\/p>\n
On Monday night, the organization welcomed about 85 people. Dildine says that’s about 10 more people than the previous night.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Even warming fires don’t keep someone warm all night. They can’t sleep next to a warming fire,” said Dildine.<\/p>\n
Altogether, between the two warming shelters, Dildine said they can welcome up to 180 people a night.<\/p>\n
It’s all to make sure those who need a warm place to sleep are safe.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
If you’d like to help, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n For news updates, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n