Bethel Census Area, Alaska (pop. 18,666) covers 45,504 square miles of the Yukon–Kuskokwim region. The Bethel Fire Department, run by the City of Bethel with staff and volunteers, provides fire and ambulance service from 320 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway in Bethel, a hub with no road link to the state highway system. The state fire directory lists 27 more village fire departments, from Aniak and Kwethluk to Kipnuk and Toksook Bay, each covering only its own village.
Bethel Fire Department (non-emergency)
(907) 543-2131- City of Bethel (main line): (907) 543-2047
- Bethel Police Department (non-emergency): (907) 543-3781
- Bethel Fire Department, 320 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, Bethel, AK 99559, USA
- cityofbethel.org — Emergency & Safety
- City Hall (300 State Highway): Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00 (AKT)
Who Provides Fire Protection in Bethel Census Area
- Bethel Fire Department — the City of Bethel lists Fire/EMS among its municipal services. The department answers both fire and ambulance calls (103 EMS and 22 fire incidents in January 2023), trains staff and volunteers on its ambulances and fire apparatus, drills on every shift and runs EMT-1 courses for new volunteers.
- 27 village fire departments — listed by the Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety, two of them run by a tribal council (Kasigluk and Sleetmute). Most list no phone number.
- Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection — wildland (tundra) fires. When a June 2024 tundra fire spread from the Quinhagak landfill, village volunteers responded first and McGrath-based state firefighters followed.
In Bethel, the city lists 911 as the emergency number alongside the Bethel Police Department; it does not publish a separate fire dispatch line. How 911 calls are answered in each village is not published. Communities with no department in the state directory, such as Tuluksak, Tununak, Chuathbaluk, Newtok/Mertarvik, Red Devil and Lime Village, should check with their city or tribal council. Patients from outlying villages may need to be flown to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital in Bethel.
Fire Departments in Bethel Census Area
| Department | Type | Station / mailing address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel Fire Department | Combination (fire + EMS) | 320 Chief Eddie Hoffman Hwy, Bethel, AK 99559 | (907) 543-2131 |
| Aniak VFD | Volunteer | PO Box 307, Aniak, AK 99557 | Not confirmed |
| Chefornak VFD | Volunteer | PO Box 133, Chefornak, AK 99561 | (907) 867-8733 |
| Crooked Creek VFD | Volunteer | PO Box 69, Crooked Creek, AK 99575 | (907) 432-2247 |
| Goodnews Bay VFD | Volunteer | PO Box 142, Goodnews Bay, AK 99589 | (907) 967-8558 |
| Kipnuk VFD | Volunteer | PO Box 0057, Kipnuk, AK 99614 | (907) 896-5515 |
| Kongiganak VFD | Volunteer | PO Box 5069, Kongiganak, AK 99545 | (907) 557-5226 |
| Kwethluk FD | Village (type not published) | PO Box 53, Kwethluk, AK 99621 | (907) 757-6629 |
| Lower Kalskag VFD | Volunteer | PO Box 69, Lower Kalskag, AK 99626 | (907) 471-2228 |
| Napaskiak VFD | Volunteer | PO Box 6109, Napaskiak, AK 99559 | (907) 737-7639 |
| Nunapitchuk FD | Village (type not published) | PO Box 190, Nunapitchuk, AK 99641 | (907) 527-5718 |
| Stony River VFD | Volunteer | PO Box SRV, Stony River, AK 99557 | (907) 537-3258 |
Listed by community only (no address or phone published): Akiachak VFD, Akiak VFD, Atmautluak VFD, Eek VFD, Joint Kwinhagak (Quinhagak) VFD, Kasigluk Traditional Council VFD, Kuiggayagaq VFD (Oscarville), Kwigillingok VFD, Mekoryuk VFD, Napakiak FD, Nightmute VFD, Platinum VFD, Sleetmute Traditional Council FD, Toksook Bay FD, Tuntutuliak FD and Upper Kalskag VFD.
Village fire halls are not always staffed. For anything urgent, call 911 rather than a station number.
Estimated Response Time
Method: because Alaska census areas are huge and mostly roadless, we divide only each department's own service area by its stations, not the whole census area. The City of Bethel covers about 43.2 square miles of land (about 146 residents per square mile) from one station, an average radius of roughly 3.7 miles; most homes sit in a smaller built-up area, so the real distance is often shorter. Village departments serve only their own village (service areas are not published), and there is no structural fire protection on the tundra, rivers or trails between communities.
| Radius | Bethel (combination) | Villages (volunteer) |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 1.5 mi | 5–8 min | 8–12 min |
| 1.5–3 mi | 7–10 min | 10–14 min |
| 3–6 mi | 9–13 min | No estimate (outside village) |
| > 6 mi | 13+ min | No estimate (outside village) |
Typical expectation: about 7–13 minutes in Bethel (first responders reached a June 2024 house fire about five minutes after it was reported) and about 8–12 minutes inside a village with an active volunteer department; no response outside the village.
Estimated Fire Control Time
| Fire size | Example | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Steam bath, snowmobile, small vehicle | 5–20 min |
| Medium | Room-and-contents, car fully involved | 15–45 min |
| Large | Whole house, school or commercial building | 45–120 min |
| Major | Landfill or large tundra fire | 2–12+ hours |
Water supply is limited: at a ½-acre fire at the Bethel Landfill in May 2022 crews used hose lines and master streams with Public Works water tenders and an excavator. Villages rely on whatever pumps and hoses they have, and help from outside must arrive by air or river. On November 3, 2015, a fire destroyed Bethel's Kilbuck building, home of the Ayaprun Elitnaurviat Yup'ik immersion school.
Apparatus & Equipment
The Bethel Fire Department operates ambulances and fire apparatus; fleet counts are not published. Village fleets are not published.
- Fire suppression
- EMS / ambulance
- Fire investigation
- Wildland (state)
Ratings & Accreditation
ISO Public Protection Classification ratings for Bethel Census Area's fire departments are not published.
Outdoor burning: Alaska requires burn permits from April 1 to August 31. Small-scale permits cover burn barrels and brush piles up to 10 feet across and 4 feet high; campfires under 3 feet need no permit. Get one online at dnr.alaska.gov/burn; the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection's Southwest Area prevention office is in McGrath, (907) 524-3010. Inside Bethel, also ask the Bethel Fire Department.
Neighboring Boroughs and Census Areas
- Kusilvak Census Area, AK (northwest)
- Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area, AK (north)
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK (east)
- Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK (southeast)
- Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK (south)
- Dillingham Census Area, AK (south)
FAQ
What is the non-emergency number for the fire department in Bethel Census Area?
Bethel Fire Department: (907) 543-2131. City of Bethel main line: (907) 543-2047. For any fire or medical emergency, always call 911.
Which fire departments serve Bethel Census Area?
The Bethel Fire Department plus 27 village fire departments listed by the Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety, including Aniak, Kwethluk, Napaskiak, Kipnuk, Quinhagak and Toksook Bay. Many list no phone number.
Does the Bethel Fire Department run ambulances?
Yes. The City of Bethel lists Fire/EMS among its services, and in January 2023 the department answered 103 EMS and 22 fire incidents.
How fast does the fire department respond in Bethel Census Area?
About 7–13 minutes in Bethel and about 8–12 minutes inside a village with an active volunteer department. Village departments cover only their own village; there is no structural fire protection between communities.
Do I need a burn permit in Bethel Census Area?
Alaska requires burn permits from April 1 to August 31 for burn barrels and brush piles up to 10 feet across and 4 feet high; campfires under 3 feet need none. Apply at dnr.alaska.gov/burn. Inside Bethel, also ask the Bethel Fire Department at (907) 543-2131.
Last verified:
- City of Bethel — Emergency & Safety (fire station address, phones, 911)
- City of Bethel — Staff Directory (fire and police departments)
- Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety — Fire Department Contact Directory (September 22, 2026) (departments, addresses, phones)
- Alaska Municipal League — City of Bethel profile (Fire/EMS service, city hall)
- Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection — Burn Permits
- Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection — Southwest Area (McGrath office)
- KYUK — Summer fire sparks new training opportunities in Quinhagak (2024)
- Alaska Public Media — 3 dead following Bethel house fire (2024)
- Delta Discovery — Bethel Fire Department calls, May 2022 (landfill fire, training)
- Delta Discovery — Bethel Fire Department calls, January 2023 (incidents, staff and volunteers)
- Wikipedia — Bethel Census Area, Alaska (2020 population, area, neighbors)
- Wikipedia — Bethel, Alaska (land area, population, roads, hospital, 2015 fire)