Against bone-chilling cold, Jose Ismael squatted next to a makeshift campfire within the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary in St. Paul on Wednesday, contemplating where he and dozens of others living in the sprawling tent encampment around him would end up the next day.

Crews are at work Thursday shutting down one of St. Paul’s largest homeless encampments near the Bruce Vento Homeless Sanctuary. St. Paul city officials are shutting it down for what they say are safety reasons.

On Thursday, city crews cleared the encampment by Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, citing concerns over safety, fire danger and cleanliness.

Notice to vacate orders were posted Tuesday on every tent in the encampment off Payne Avenue and East Seventh Street.