Questions answered regarding trailer fire response

There are two fire departments servicing the City of Yuma area; City of Yuma Fire Department (YFD) and Rural Metro Fire.

Generally, Rural Metro responds to the area between 8th street and 10th street, from near Avenue B to Magnolia Ave.

Thursday’s fire happened in Rural Metro’s jurisdiction near 9th street and 20th ave.

That area has not been annexed by YFD, however, they were the first on the scene.

Now, one of the biggest questions residents are asking is why weren’t Rural Metro the first to respond to that massive fire?

After News 11 spoke to YFD, they explained, a YFD ladder truck happened to be returning from a call when they came upon Thursday’s fire in the county.

YFD said Rural Metro units were not yet on the scene.

They alerted Rural Metro while making an initial attempt to extinguish the flames.

YFD continued to provide mutual aid once Rural Metro units arrived due to many conflicting circumstances.

On Friday, Charly McMurdie from Rural Metro said the major reason for calling on mutual aid was due to the high temperatures.

” We’re putting [firefighters] in weather which is hot, and we’re putting them in situations which are crucial and are critical to getting the situation under control as fast as possible. The distresses and anxiety and the extra issues that we’re putting on the guys, is wearing them out a little quicker. ”

YFD also said anytime there is a fire outside of its jurisdiction, they still send a battalion chief for assistance.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is in the hands of Rural Metro to determine.

The investigation is still underway.