Whether or not local taxes contribute to funding emergency services, they're considered a profit center by local governments. Whenever they respond, for any reason, a bill is issued. Normally, insurance covers it, and insurance usually doesn't complain about the amount (your rates just go up).

In fact, I'm surprised about how low it is considering the size of the fire. The railroad got a good deal.

A short EMS response for minor injury and a ride to a nearby ER, such as for a traffic accident, is commonly billed at $2-5000 but $10K isn't unusual. An air ambulance ride, even if only a few minutes, is typically at least $25K and many insurance plans don't cover it. If there's actually a fire to put out, such as a car fire, the bill to insurance will typically be $10-20K just to show up. That's even if it's in your own town or fire district that you pay taxes to. Wildfire response in CA, if you are tagged as a cause (even if accidental), starts around $100-200K. Bottom line is, without good insurance, your first fire emergency call may be to 911, but the second might very well be to a bankruptcy lawyer.