Modesto Fire Department

06/15/2026

Before you buy fireworks for this year’s 4th of July celebrations, let’s spark up the conversation on firework safety!

Only fireworks labeled with the California State Fire Marshal “Safe and Sane” seal are legal in California and in the City of Modesto from 9 AM Monday, July 1, 2026, through 10 PM Thursday, July 4, 2026.

Be sure to purchase fireworks from licensed retailers.

06/13/2026

Following the outbreak of the Promontory Incident at the Medline warehouse in Tracy, Modesto Fire personnel responded to assist the South San Joaquin County Fire Authority - Tracy, CA and partner agencies.

Firefighters assigned to Engine 19 provided station coverage within the City of Tracy as part of a strike team of Stanislaus County fire engines. Their presence ensured emergency calls continued to be answered while local resources remained committed to containing and extinguishing the warehouse and vegetation fires. At approximately one million square feet, the Medline warehouse is among the largest warehouse facilities in the region, making this one of the most significant commercial structure fires in recent memory.

At the same time, five Modesto Fire personnel responded as members of the Central Valley Incident Management Team. These personnel supported incident management operations in a variety of roles, including Operations, Logistics, Planning, and Public Information.

We are proud to support our neighboring communities and partner agencies throughout the county, region, and state when additional resources are needed.

06/11/2026

After a distinguished career dedicated to serving the Modesto community, Deputy Chief of Operations Jerardo Avila is retiring from the Modesto Fire Department.

Chief Avila's fire service journey began as a dispatcher before joining the ranks of the Modesto Fire Department as a firefighter. Throughout his career, he served in numerous capacities, including relief engineer, captain, battalion chief, training division instructor, driver trainer, safety officer, fire investigator, and member of the Technical Rescue Team.

Chief Avila also played a key role in establishing the department's Hazardous Materials Program and shared his knowledge with future firefighters as a Fire Science instructor at Modesto Junior College. His commitment to community preparedness extended beyond emergency response as a bilingual CERT instructor, helping educate and empower residents throughout our community.

Please join us in congratulating Deputy Chief Avila on his retirement and thanking him for his decades of dedicated service, leadership, mentorship, and commitment to the citizens of Modesto.

Congratulations, Chief. Your impact on this department and community will be felt for generations to come.

06/06/2026

Today marks the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in World War II. We honor the bravery and sacrifice of the Allied forces who stormed the beaches of Normandy, securing a foothold in Europe.

06/05/2026

📊 May 2026 Recap:
Our firefighters and paramedics remained busy throughout May, responding to:

🚑 1,722 EMS Calls
🔥 96 Fires
🚗 86 Vehicle Accidents
🏠 19 Structure Fires
🌿 26 Vegetation Fires

For a total of 2,567 calls for service.

Thank you for trusting us to serve our community. We’re honored to answer the call whenever you need us.

06/04/2026

The Central Valley Incident Management Team members come from different departments across our region, but trainings like this ensure we can work together seamlessly when large, complex incidents arise.

Over 50 members of the Central Valley Incident Management Team gathered today at the Regional Fire Training Center in Modesto for the annual spring training to prepare for the wildfire season. Trainings like these allow seasoned members to refresh their skills while allowing new team members to develop in a controlled environment.

CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit
Modesto Fire Department
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office
Murphys Fire Protection District - Volunteer Firefighters Association
Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District
Modesto Junior College
City of Turlock - Fire Department
Tuolumne County Fire Department

06/02/2026

Despite the gray skies, summer activities are officially underway in Modesto. The Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhoods team hosted a Summer Kick-Off Celebration today at Graceada Park, featuring lots of energy, excitement, and outdoor fun!

05/26/2026

Are you interested in the fire service? There is less than one week remaining to apply for the MJC fire academy.

⏰ ONE WEEK LEFT to request your Fall 2026 Fire Academy application! Deadline is June 1 at 5PM.

If you or someone you know has been on the fence, now is the time. 🔥

🌐 mjc.edu/ps/firetech

05/26/2026

Today, members of the Modesto Fire Department were honored to stand alongside our community at Memorial Day ceremonies throughout our service area as we remembered the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

From participating in memorial events with our law enforcement partners and local leaders, to honoring the fallen during the 21-gun salute, and assisting with the respectful folding and retirement of flags at Ceres Memorial Cemetery, today was a reminder of the deep gratitude we owe those who gave everything for our freedom.

We thank all who took time today to remember and honor our nation’s hero’s.

05/25/2026

The Modesto Fire Department wishes you a happy and safe Memorial Day.

We are grateful today, and every day, to the over 1,000,000 men and women of our country who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.