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Resident urges county action on homeless encampments under Brawley bridge, citing repeated fires
Summary
A Brawley resident told supervisors he has reported repeated fires and unsafe conditions under the State Highway 86 overpass and urged the county to barricade access; he said prior enforcement clears the encampments but they reappear quickly.
A Brawley resident told the Board of Supervisors that homeless encampments beneath the State Highway 86 overpass near the north end of Brawley pose a repeated fire hazard and asked the county to pursue measures to restrict access.
Julian Escalera, who gave his address on Brant Road, said he has reported “smoke, fire smoke, white smoke coming from underneath the bridge” about a dozen times and that first responders generally arrive within five minutes after 911 calls. “My main concern is the fire,” Escalera said, noting debris, shopping carts and vehicles have accumulated under the bridge and that the site includes a vacant property in probate that is being used as an access point.
Escalera said he had discussed the issue previously with Supervisor Kelly, sheriff’s staff and the Highway Patrol and urged the county to consider barricading access under the bridge, working with Caltrans, or creating an oversight process to prevent recurring reoccupation. He also asked county staff to coordinate with Caltrans on a roadway dip and the bypass overpass where drivers are being caught off guard.
The speaker framed the issue as a public‑safety and fire risk to residents and requested proactive county intervention. The board acknowledged the comment; no formal direction to staff was recorded during the meeting, though Escalera said he had already worked with some county and state officials on the matter.
