Yumans open homes to California evacuees

As wildfires rage across California, more than 500,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, leaving their homes and most of their possessions behind in their flight from the flames.

Some have sought refuge in Yuma, according to reports from hotel workers and visitors centers officials. However, ongoing local events have booked most area hotels to the limit. In response to this need, Yumans have opened their homes to evacuees.

"We've had people call and offer their spare bedrooms and yards for pets ... It says a lot about our community," said Rebecca Miller, convention and tourism sales manager for the Yuma Visitors Bureau.

Miller said she'd received four calls, as of Tuesday, from Yuma residents offering rooms to evacuees.

This has helped, Miller said, at a time when hotels are packed by two unrelated events.

The Yuma Proving Ground's Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration on Thursday has drawn many to area hotels.

Personnel are also in town for the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructors training course.

Some people incoming from California have been referred to hotels as far away as Wellton, according to Miller, due to the lack of space.

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Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.