Illegally dumped wood can still be found at the city-owned site on Monterey Boulevard near Park Boulevard. But the situation has improved since the installation of a fence around the property leased by Elite Tree Services, some residents and city officials say.

Ed Jenson, owner of Elite Tree Services, left openings in the fence, so residents could continue to pick up free firewood.

"It's actually much better," said Richard Cowan, chief of staff for City Councilwoman Jean Quan (District 4 Montclair-Laurel), who visited the site last week. "There's no longer stuff in the street, and there's no debris; it's all wood."

Some Monterey Boulevard residents agree.

"There's a big difference," said Frances Castle who's lived in the area since 1938. "Now, everything is neat and clean."

Linda Blide, who's lived on Monterey Boulevard for 19 years, said illegal dumping is a problem in vacant lots all along the boulevard.

"The city picks it up eventually, maybe every other month," she said.

Jeanette Edgerly, training and public service administrator for Oakland's Public Works Agency, said litter abatement crews do clean up a site when a resident calls to report illegal dumping.

Litter enforcement officers investigate and cite illegal dumpers, she said. However, the number of these positions was recently reduced to four from eight.

Some nearby residents say the site is a traffic hazard.

"Some trucks or cars (park) right in the road," said Jane Butcher, who has lived in the area for five years. "It's a tight little bend."

Other residents said they didn't know they could take free firewood from the Monterey Boulevard site.

"I've never seen any signs," said Joy Crocker. "If it's going to go on as a public service, we need to be alerted to it."

In a recent newsletter, Quan recommended that residents require contractors clearing vegetation to show them a receipt from the Davis Street Transfer Station (the nearest public dump site) before paying contractors.

Also, residents may call 510-434-5101 if they spot illegal dumping anywhere in the city. For more information, go to www.oaklandpw.com