News Release

Rescue Operation at Kenai Fjords National Park

Date: July 22, 2025
Contact: Leah Wold

On the afternoon of July 21, 2025, Kenai Fjords National Park received a call from the Alaska State Troopers regarding two individuals stranded on a cliff face beyond the "Exit Creek Prohibited Visitor Use Zone" closure sign. NPS Rangers and staff promptly responded to the location and made contact with the two individuals. One person was unharmed; however, the rangers were unable to reach the second individual, who sustained injuries from a fall.

An Air National Guard helicopter was dispatched to extract the victim, who was subsequently transported to Anchorage for further medical treatment. NPS Rangers then assisted in hiking out the unharmed individual.

Multiple agencies, including the National Park Service, Alaska State Troopers, and Air National Guard, collaborated in the response to this incident.For your safety, please remain on designated park trails. Closures in Kenai Fjords National Park are implemented to protect both visitors and park staff who respond to emergencies.

The National Park Service sincerely appreciates the ongoing support from all agencies involved in this incident.