Fire Destroys 15 Tents At North Park Encampment As City Moves Toward March 17 Closure

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A fire engulfed 15 tents at the North Park encampment in Chicago, leaving behind charred suitcases, bikes, and clothing. The fire came even as the city had announced plans to clear the encampment on March 17. Residents are unsure where they will go after the clearing, with one saying "We don't have houses. Where else are we supposed to go?" Advocates have launched a petition to try and stop the March 17 closure, proposing a counter-plan that includes safety measures like ensuring tents are 50 feet from property lines, providing fire extinguishers, and creating a designated cooking area.

Why it matters

The fire and impending encampment clearing highlight the ongoing challenges of homelessness in Chicago, as the city struggles to balance public safety concerns with providing housing and support for unhoused individuals. The counter-proposal from advocates aims to find a middle ground that addresses both the needs of the encampment residents and the surrounding community.

The details

The fire on Friday engulfed 15 tents in the northern part of the North Park encampment, located at Legion Park. There were no injuries reported, but dozens of propane tanks were found at the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The encampment is split into two groups, with about 20 people living there consistently. After the fire, 3 new tents were set up in the southern encampment, which still had 12 tents as of Monday. Residents say they have witnessed multiple fires at the encampment over the past few years, with the Friday night blaze being the largest. The city's Department of Family and Support Services has been working to connect encampment residents with affordable housing, with 16 residents selecting units last week and 2 more expected to do so soon. However, no one has actually moved into housing yet.

• The city has announced plans to clear the North Park encampment on March 17, 2026.
• A fire over the summer prompted the city to clear makeshift wooden homes that had been built by residents living along the river in Legion Park.
• A tent fire in November 2025 led people living along Legion Park to ask the Park District to enforce a minimum distance between neighbors' homes and the tents.
• The Gompers Park homeless encampment, located 2 miles from Legion Park, was cleared by the city a year ago.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the March 17 encampment clearing to proceed.