Valdez Fire Department

09/01/2026

On August 31, 2026 at approximately 17:25 hours, your Valdez Fire Department Backcountry Search and Rescue Team were dispatched to the Valdez Glacier Lake for the report of five kayakers beached on an island and unable to make it back to the parking lot due to the intense wind that picked up.

Backcountry and Swiftwater team members deployed to Valdez Glacier Lake with the inflatable tunnel jet boat, rescue truck and an ambulance. Team members were able to make contact with the party and assessed for injuries. There were no injuries and all individuals were transported back to the parking area at 18:19 hours.

A response like this really highlights the capabilities of our team and equipment such as the tunnel jet boat. The Valdez Glacier Lake is always changing for navigable routes and hazards, and this boat handles it well.

08/20/2026

It's back-to-school time! 📚✏️ From all of us at the Valdez Fire Department, we're wishing our students, families, teachers, and staff a safe and successful school year!

As everyone gets back into their routines, remember a few simple safety tips:

🚌 Watch for Buses- Slow down and give buses plenty of room.
🚸 Stay alert in school zones- Keep your eyes up and phones down.
🚲 Be visible- Wear helmets and use lights or reflective gear when biking or walking.
🏠 Practice your home safety plan- Make sure everyone knows two ways out and where to meet outside.
🔥 Check your smoke alarms - Test them and replace batteries when needed.

Here's to a great school year!

Welcome back, Valdez! Stay safe and have a fantastic school year! 🚒📚

08/14/2026

🔥 BURN PERMIT SUSPENSION — Valdez-Copper River Area

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection has suspended burn permits for the Valdez-Copper River Area, effective since 8 AM Aug. 13 until further notice.
Persistent hot, dry weather has pushed fire danger to VERY HIGH: vegetation is primed to ignite and fire can spread fast.
🚫 Suspended:
• Burn barrels
• Cardboard incinerators
• Debris burning
• Lawn burning under small or large-scale permit
✅ Still allowed:
Commercially manufactured burning devices (propane grills, portable camp stoves, etc.) and small cooking/warming fires. But you must stay with it and fully extinguish before leaving.
📞 Questions? Contact the State Burn Advisory Line: 907-822-8665
This suspension is issued and enforced by the State of Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

🔥 BURN PERMIT SUSPENSION — Valdez-Copper River Area

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection has suspended burn permits for the Valdez-Copper River Area, effective since 8 AM Aug. 13 until further notice.

Persistent hot, dry weather has pushed fire danger to VERY HIGH: vegetation is primed to ignite and fire can spread fast.

🚫 Suspended:
• Burn barrels
• Cardboard incinerators
• Debris burning
• Lawn burning under small or large-scale permit

✅ Still allowed:
Commercially manufactured burning devices (propane grills, portable camp stoves, etc.) and small cooking/warming fires. But you must stay with it and fully extinguish before leaving.

📞 Questions? Contact the State Burn Advisory Line: 907-822-8665

This suspension is issued and enforced by the State of Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.

Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection - DFFP
Valdez Fire Department
Valdez Police Department
•
•
Updated 8/14/26 - 10:15AM to fix graphic

08/13/2026

NFA Class hosted by VFD. Sign up ends 9/29/26!

08/12/2026

We're so excited to have Firefighter Eric Christensen join our team full-time!! 🙌🧑‍🚒
Congrats, Brother! 👏

07/17/2026

🚒🔥🧯👨🏻‍🚒❤️🚑

Some days, our job can be summed up with a few emojis...

🔥 Fire Calls
🚑 Medical Emergencies
🚒 Responding When Duty Calls
🧯 Fire Prevention
💪 Training Hard
🤝 Serving Our Community
❤️ Caring For Our Neighbors

No matter what emoji tells today's story, our commitment stays the same : Protecting Life, Property, and Our Community.

Happy 🌏☺️ World Emoji Day!

👇 Tell us using only Emojis... What's your Favorite Thing about your Local Firefighters?

07/17/2026

A proud day for our department! 🚒
Congratulations to Captain Bryan Vincent on being officially sworn in and receiving their captain's badge. Your dedication, leadership, and commitment have earned this achievement, and we look forward to all you'll accomplish in your new role. Congratulations, Captain! 👏🔥

07/08/2026

Please join us all in congratulating Sr. Captain Mike Weber on his recent retirement and recognition by the Valdez City Council with a proclamation recognizing his many years of service and numerous accomplishments and accolades. Sr. Captain Weber has trained and mentored hundreds of first responders both here in Valdez and across the state. Many have gone on to have very successful careers here in Valdez and across the country.

We are grateful for everything Mike has done over the years and wish him all the best in this next chapter!

07/03/2026

Last night for our EMS training, we were fortunate to have our Valdez Animal Control Officer Mike Clupper come and be a guest instructor.

Mike taught our firefighters and EMTs how to do rapid medical and trauma assessments of animals, how to evaluate vital signs and how to safely and properly provide CPR and rescue breaths to animals we rescue from fires or other emergencies. Our fire department has been carrying pet oxygen masks and rescue kits for many years on our fire engines and ambulances and we are always looking for more ways to serve our four legged friends. Thank you Valdez Police Department for loaning ACO Clupper to us for the training!

07/03/2026

Join us tomorrow to celebrate America's 250th and Valdez's 125th Independence Day down at Kelsey Dock Plaza!

🌭Schedule of Events🎆

Uncle Salmon Freedom 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run | Nayurluku Park
Registration - 8:00 am | 1 Mile - 9:00 am | 5K - 9:30 am
5K Registration: https://bit.ly/UncleSalmon5K-2026
1Mi Registration: https://bit.ly/UncleSalmon1Mile-2026

Vendor Market | Kelsey Dock Plaza
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Bike Decorating | 555 W Egan (City Building Maintenance Shop)
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Bounce Houses and Obstacle Course | Vendor Market (Hazelet)
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm (weather dependent)

Parade | corner of Egan, down Hazelet by Ruth Pond Park
12:30 pm

FREE Community Picnic | Kelsey Dock Plaza
1:00 pm - while supplies last

LIVE music Ladies Night | Kelsey Dock Plaza
11:30 am - 1:30 pm

LIVE music Blackwater Railroad Co. | Kelsey Dock Plaza
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

MOVIE: “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” | Civic Center
7:00 pm

🇺🇸

🙏Special thanks to City of Valdez Parks & Recreation, City of Valdez Ports and Harbors, and City of Valdez Public Works teams for all the work they have put in to make this event amazing!! (And an extra thank you to Valdez Emblem Club #514, U.S. Coast Guard Station Valdez, and Seed Media for their support.)