Yuma Fire Department Responds to Over 400 Emergency Calls in One Week

The Yuma Fire Department fielded more than 400 emergency service calls in a recent seven-day stretch, with 13 of those calls involving active fires, including an RV fire and a home fire, according to YFD Public Information Officer Francisco Leon.

The volume underscores the breadth of what the department handles across the City of Yuma and surrounding county areas, from medical emergencies and hazardous materials response to technical rescue, all while operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But Leon used the moment to redirect attention to two fire types the department sees with notable regularity: bathroom ventilation fan fires and backyard or patio fires driven by heavy fuel loads.

The ventilation fan problem, Leon explained, stems from neglect that compounds over time. "What happens is people leave those fans on. They let them run for hours and eventually when they get dirty, they seize up, and that heat eventually create a fire, and those fires can spread into the attic and the fire spreading to the attic we have a bigger problem," he said. His recommendation: inspect and clean bathroom ventilation fans monthly.

Electrical cords present a similar, easily overlooked hazard. "If cords are plugged in, never leave them underneath a mat or put anything on top of them. They can build heat and eventually it can cause a fire as well," Leon said. He advised inspecting all cords for visible damage before use.

The third concern involves the accumulation of materials in backyards and along the sides of homes. With the city's upcoming neighborhood cleanup on the horizon, Leon urged Yuma residents to treat the pickup as an opportunity to reduce fire risk, not just tidy up. "A good piece of advice I'd give people is to grab things that you don't need anymore. Put them out front. Just clear some of that clutter, reduce the fuel load in your backyard, the side of your home," he said.

The Yuma Fire Department's mission, as stated on its official website, centers on protecting the lives and property of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits the community. Alongside emergency response, the department places significant weight on public education and community outreach as tools for reducing risk before incidents occur.

Yuma County also has a second fire and emergency medical services provider operating independently of YFD. Rural Metro Fire Department, a private, membership-based organization, has served the county since 1971 from six fire stations. Chief Melissa Hilpert leads the department, which handles fire suppression, emergency medical response, HAZMAT calls, motor vehicle accidents, and additional community services including snake removal and emergency vehicle lockout assistance. Rural Metro can be reached at 928-782-4757.

Neither the exact dates of the seven-day reporting window nor a precise breakdown of the more than 400 calls by incident type were available. The full circumstances of the RV and home fires, including locations, causes, and any resulting damage or injuries, have not been disclosed publicly.