From Sunday December 11, 2022 through Saturday December 17, 2022, the Yuma Fire Department responded to 346 emergency calls for service:

                15    General Fire Responses
Including: 1 for a bathroom fan fire, 1 for smoke in a restaurant, 1 for the smell of gas in a home, 1 for a brush fire started by a camp fire, 1 for an oven fire, and various alarms 

                 3    Mutual Aid
Including: 1 for assisting Rural Metro with a medical emergency in the County, 1 to backfill a Somerton station, 1 to assist Imperial County with a medical emergency 

              23     Motor Vehicle Crashes 
Including: 1 involving a pedestrian, 1 involving a mailbox, 1 involving a wall, 2 involving rollovers, and 2 involving three vehicles

            273     Other Medical Emergencies (both serious and minor)
Including: 28 for difficulty breathing, 31 for chest pain/cardiac issues, 37 for fall related injuries, 14 for unconscious people, 13 seizure cases, 5 possible stroke cases, 1 for an intoxicated person, 2 for accidental medicine overdoses, 12 for psychiatric problems (9 threatening or attempting suicide), 7 for medical alarms, 1 for child locked in a vehicle, 1 for allergic reactions, 3 for choking, 19 for altered or decreased level of consciousness, 4 for fever, 1 for a diabetic emergency, 3 for man down calls, 3 for uncontrolled bleeding, 2 for bad headaches, 1 for stab wounds, 4 for assaults, 3 for back pain, 12 for abdominal pain, 1 for a deceased person, 11 for drug withdrawals, 3 for lacerations, 9 welfare checks, 1 for a person injured when they fell off a scooter, and other illnesses and injuries (Note: 1 of the week’s total responses was to the USBP holding facility)

             32     Special Duty, Public Assistance, and Residential Assignments
Including: 2 for vehicle fires, 4 for small brush fires, 1 for a fuel spill, 2 for illegal trash fires, 1 for a leaking fire hydrant, and various alarms


YFD continues to respond to illegal trash or other small brush fires. These types of fires within residential neighborhoods can be a nuisance and a hazard. Fires too close to other combustibles and property lines pose the risk of serious fire spread, especially under windy conditions. Un-permitted fires are unlawful and result in many unnecessary Fire Department responses, possibly delaying response to other serious emergencies. 

So, use a grill or a fireplace, keep cooking/heating fires small (no more than 3’ x 3’) and attended (and fully extinguished after use), and please no burning of trash or yard debris. Also, be aware of weather conditions, such as the wind speed and direction. If you are camping, be sure of the local fire regulations and conditions. Never pour or spray flammable liquids onto an already burning fire, the fire can travel back up the stream and causing the container to literally explode in your hands. And never use gasoline to start your warming or campfire.

Warming or outdoor cooking fires can be enjoyable if done safely. Have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable holiday season.
For more information about fire and injury prevention classes we offer, contact the Yuma Fire Department Public Information Office at 373-4855, you can also “Follow” us at www.twitter.com/YumaFireDept or on Instagram @YumaFireDepartment