City opens enrollment for Camp Inferno, three day firefighting experience for girls

The City of Yuma opened enrollment on December 15 for Camp Inferno, a three day immersive program scheduled for February 5 through February 7, 2026 that will introduce teenage girls to firefighting. The program features hands on activities including live fire exercises, rappelling and ladder climbing and is supervised to give participants a realistic taste of fire service careers while emphasizing safety and skill development.

Camp Inferno is designed to build teamwork, leadership and confidence among participants and to provide a local pipeline into emergency response careers at a time when fire departments nationwide report staffing shortages and seek more diverse recruitment. For Yuma County, a program focused on teenage girls addresses long standing gender disparities in the fire service and may help expand the pool of future firefighters and emergency medical responders who reflect the community they serve.

From a public health perspective, early exposure to fire service training can improve community safety by familiarizing young people with risk aware behavior and basic emergency response concepts. Supervised live fire exercises carry inherent risks, so careful oversight, personal protective equipment and clear safety protocols will be essential to protect participants and instructors alike. Training that incorporates health and safety standards can also reduce the likelihood of injury and lower long term occupational health risks for recruits who choose to pursue firefighting careers.

The camp also raises questions about equitable access to career exploration opportunities. Transportation, cost and outreach to underserved neighborhoods will determine who can take part, and those factors will shape whether the program broadens opportunities across Yuma County or primarily benefits those already well connected to municipal programs.

Residents who want to enroll or learn more are asked to contact City Parks & Recreation for registration details and additional information. As the program approaches, city and community partners will have an opportunity to ensure Camp Inferno reaches a diverse group of teenagers and contributes to a healthier, safer and more inclusive local emergency workforce.