Yuma firefighter killed in wildland truck rollover
A Yuma firefighter died when his wildland fire truck rolled over in rough terrain Friday morning, officials confirmed.
The incident happened at about 8 a.m. on Federal Route 19 as the firefighter was traveling to the Montezuma fire located 20 miles southeast of Sells, Ariz.
The dead Yuma firefighter was working for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is the agency overseeing the management of the fire.
Two other firefighters, one who was also from Yuma, sustained minor injuries during the incident. Both were treated at a nearby hospital and released.
The name of the dead firefighter will not be released until relatives are notified. The name of the second firefighter from Yuma involved in the rollover has also been withheld.
The Montezuma fire is on the Baboquivari Mountain Range in the Tohono O'odham Nation west of Tucson. It is in an area of steep terrain and heavy brush, which has made it difficult for crews to approach on the ground.
