Cottonwood — Residents burning wild grass identified as the source of a runaway wildfire that destroyed three mobile homes and damaged several vehicles.

Nearly 40 firefighters were reportedly involved in the firefighting effort.

The fire was reported around 11:45 am on Saturday, May 13, at Ramada Drive in an unincorporated area near the Verde River southeast of Cottonwood. When the Verde Valley Fire District was notified of the situation, the fire was already making its way into the building.

VVFD said three mobile homes were set on fire before the crew arrived. The Cottonwood Fire Department, Copper Canyon Fire Medical District, Verde Valley Ambulance, and Sedona Fire District all responded with automated relief.

Fires broke out on two premises. There were no fire hydrants nearby, and the crew had to set up multiple water trucks.

“More resources were required due to the enormous fire load,” VVFD Director Danny Johnson reported Saturday afternoon. “Initial reports from eyewitnesses said firefighters said there were two people in the building. Firefighters began searching for the missing persons while fighting the fire.”

The homeowner was outside the building. One of her residents was taken to Verde Valley Medical Center for a non-medical issue.

Because the incident involved all available fire resources in VVFD, CFD, and CCFMD, State Mutual Aid was available as backup from elsewhere in Yavapai County and the Pine-Strawberry Fire District. I was. 37 firefighters, 7 fire trucks, 4 water trucks, 2 ambulances, 1 brush truck, 2 support vehicles and 3 command vehicles were required to fight the fire.

The Verde Valley Fire Survey Team was also on standby.

“Investigators in Verde Valley, Cottonwood and Jerome have determined the fires were caused by residents burning weeds with torches,” Johnson reported. “Three mobile homes were completely destroyed and several vehicles suffered heat damage.”