The Yuma Pioneer

12/30/2025

This week's edition now available at Pioneer Headquarters and news stands all over town.

12/22/2025

12/19/2025

Elementary students caroling in downtown Yuma.

12/18/2025

Pizza Hut in Yuma is providing free food to first responders during this time of battling wind and fire.

Send a message to learn more

12/18/2025

Press Release! For Yuma County Fires (From Yuma County Office of Emergency Management)

Large Wind Event Triggers Multiple Fires in Yuma County



Yuma County, CO — December 17, 2025



At approximately 4:48 p.m. on December 17, Yuma County experienced a significant wind event, with gusts recorded at up to 70 mph. The extreme winds resulted in the ignition of three large fires and multiple downed power lines across the county.

· The County Road L Fire, which burned approximately 2,000 acres, is contained and being monitored for potential flare-ups.

· The County Road 44 Fire, approximately 50 acres, is contained and being monitored for potential flare-ups.

· The County Road 33 Fire, estimated at 12,000 acres, remains active, with firefighters continuing suppression efforts on scene.



At this time, officials believe some structures may have been damaged, though no major damage has been confirmed. There have been no reports of serious injuries.



Emergency responders remain focused on containing the active fire and responding to any additional flare-ups as the high-wind conditions persist. According to the National Weather Service, the current wind event is expected to continue until approximately 6:00 p.m. on December 18.



Yuma County residents are strongly encouraged to stay informed by monitoring official updates from Yuma County Emergency Management and the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.

Yuma County residents are asked to stay out of all burn scar areas at this time. Low visibility from smoke, dust, and blowing debris is creating hazardous conditions for both the public and emergency responders.

Please avoid these areas to allow firefighters and crews to continue suppression and monitoring efforts safely.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

12/18/2025

To help coordinate community donations:

🔥 Yuma Fire Department is accepting donations. Please contact Megan Hansen at 970-630-9388 to coordinate. Sealed, individually wrapped food items preferred (open food gets too dirty).

🍽️ Meal donations for firefighter families and displaced families: Contact Katie Diaz at 970-567-9019 if you’d like to provide a meal.

🏪 Local business support:

Shop-All: Monetary donations to the Yuma Fire Department account. Shop-All will then deliver necessary items to the fire hall.
Subway: Monetary donations for food & water
Kroh: Free food for Yuma first responders

Thank you for supporting our firefighters and families. We are Yuma Strong 💪

12/18/2025

We are experiencing major outages across most of Yuma County and the East side of Washington county. Due to the forecasted wind and extremely dry conditions, Y-W is operating in ENHANCED POWERLINE SAFETY SETTINGS. This mode is designed to reduce the risk of fire ignition. This means that power restoration will take longer. Our crews are out repairing damage and surveying the system this morning. Our first focus is to get power restored to the towns and emergency services. We expect restoration to continue through the evening. Call (970) 345-2291 or use our SmartHub app to report any outages, and visit https://www.ywelectric.coop/outage-center for up-to-date outage information. Thank you for your patience and concern for safety as we work through system restoration.

12/18/2025

Pioneer didn't know about this taking place, but here is a press conference that took place this morning in the courthouse, apparently.

12/18/2025

Roads 30 and R