UPDATE: Sylvan Way reopens after fire response

(Reader photo, originally uploaded in comments below)

10:24 PM: SFD is fighting what a dispatcher described as a “large encampment fire” off Sylvan Way behind Delridge Home Depot. The response has led SPD to block Sylvan Way in both directions.

(Reader photo sent by Sam)

10:44 PM: They’ve declared the fire “tapped” (out). SFD says no one was hurt.

11:20 PM: Nearby resident Sam says Sylvan has reopened to traffic. Emergency-radio exchanges indicate the remaining unit(s) are wrapping up and preparing to leave.

In the neighborhood April 5, 2024 (10:39 pm)

Saw this fire on the way home, large flames and a burning structure were visible

937 April 5, 2024 (10:40 pm)

Again…

Derp April 5, 2024 (11:28 pm)

I wonder when this one will be cleaned up and kicked out. Same with the one across the street from the police station.

Dan B. April 6, 2024 (7:19 am)

How long are we going to “compassionately” allow people to live in these illegal deathtraps? At what point does actively mitigating harm overcome performative tolerance?

AMD April 6, 2024 (2:37 pm)

As long as we keep voting down any tax that will provide housing or assistance to the homeless. As long as we support exclusionary zoning and rail against developers and legislation whose aim is to increase density. As long as we accept the unsupported narrative that homelessness is a lifestyle choice and not driven by a fundamental lack of housing and other necessary services, we are choosing to instead force people to live in these illegal death traps.
- 937 April 6, 2024 (4:16 pm)
  
  Over a billion dollars in 10 years spent. That’s a BILLION – with a B…. 1,000,000,000 – 1,000 MILLION dollars…
  
  Your one post says we need more taxes and your second post you speak of burning tax dollars. You seem to exemplify the issue. We are raising taxes to burn them (literally with this case)There is ZERO accountability for funds spent. Some people….a LOT of people are getting so rich off this disaster that it makes no sense to solve it. This issue is solely created, funded and exacerbated to keep the tax funds plentiful.
  
  More taxes?? No no no dear AMD. More accountability is what is needed.
- Dog Whisperer April 6, 2024 (8:13 pm)
  
  KOMO News reported that Seattle has spent a billion dollars fighting homelessness. The people, mostly men, living in RVs and tents in the greenbelts certainly could find indoor housing but choose to live otherwise. Ask anyone who serves or ministers to these groups.
  - AMD April 7, 2024 (12:48 pm)
    
    Unless those billions are being spent on building new permanent housing or opening more drug treatment facilities and mental health hospitals funded by public dollars (hint: they’re not), the issues will persist. Those billions are being spent on sweeps, which don’t work, paying people to performatively offer “services”, knowing they’re either temporary solutions, or just a place on a wait list for a long-term solution, or paying for more and more studies that say the same thing: people are homeless because they need housing. Ask anyone who serves of ministers to these groups. It’s not a choice.
    - 937 April 7, 2024 (4:50 pm)
      
      Why oh why would they actually SOLVE this problem, AMD??
      
      Too many bureaucrats are getting rich off this grift!
      
      Zero accountability = Zero results

Steph April 6, 2024 (7:46 am)

It’s shocking how many encampment fires there are! The fire departments around the city are battling them every day and often multiple times daily. Someone should be handing out fire extinguishers at them all. We complained for months about a growing one person encampment. No one would do anything. Even when it caught fire apparently three fire departments argued about jurisdiction. Burien came into Seattle and saved the day and the whole neighborhood since the neighboring house was scorched and over a dozen large evergreens were burnt to crisps. It was when I was trying to look up that fire that I discovered how many there are all the time now.

Gladyis Pierce April 6, 2024 (11:23 am)

So disgusted with all the enabling! It needs to stop! Sweep, sweep, sweep!!!

AMD April 6, 2024 (2:40 pm)

Everywhere that was swept last week is already re-populated with RVs this week. Sweeps don’t work, they just burn up tax dollars so that neighbors like yourself can feel superior for a moment.
- WSB April 6, 2024 (9:04 pm)
  
  I went by the 1st/Cloverdale site late today. No RVs or other signs of reoccupation, even though it’s only partly fenced. I checked Myers Way, and the recently cleared SCL site remains empty as well.
  - AMD April 7, 2024 (12:49 pm)
    
    They came back on Cambridge and Barton as soon as the “no park” signs went away.

1994 April 6, 2024 (10:55 pm)

The city or county have property. Make an RV lot. The city already sends a pumper truck to take their dirty water, picks up their trash….just make an RV lot where they MUST park if they want to overnight on public property. At least if the RVs were all in 1 place those city services would be perhaps better coordinated. Stop letting these roadside or greenbelt situations spiral out of control – the local governing bodies need to not allow these to develop.