Driving into Concord from the highway, glimpses of the gold State House dome can be seen from a distance. But for drivers traveling west into the city from Interstate 393, sometimes they’ll be greeted by bellowing smoke from below – where fires at an encampment set up by people experiencing homelessness, tend to occur. 

Putting out these fires – whether it be from burning trash or individuals trying to stay warm at a campsite – has turned into a common part of the job for firefighters, according to Mark Herbert, the deputy chief of operations for the Concord Fire Department.

“Sometimes it's just a little campfire, sometimes it's burning trash,” he said. “This isn't new to us. This has been going on for years.”

On Tuesday, Engine 7 from the Concord Fire Department responded to a small fire under the bridge of Interstate 393 by the Friendly Kitchen. Depending on the size of the fire, anywhere from three to 12 people will be sent to help, with engine companies, ladder companies and an ambulance available. 

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