Snohomish County Fire District #26 has been serving the community since 1968. The primary response area includes the city of Gold Bar and approximately 36 square miles of rural area. The current population of Fire District #26 is estimated at 6,500 residents. This number quickly swells during many months of the year when various seasons bring thousands of visitors for outdoor activities. The department is one of the few remaining all volunteer departments in Snohomish County. Sixty-four volunteers respond to the nearly 1,000 calls annually for this upper Skykomish Valley community. In addition to the normal routine fire calls that most all fire departments respond to, this fire district has special response capabilities that include swift water, low and high angle rope rescue.

The district partners with King County Fire District # 50 and provides an Advanced Life support response capability for the upper Skykomish Valley communities. US Highway 2 runs through the valley along with the primary East/West route of the Burlington Northern railroad. These major transportation routes, coupled with the numerous recreational activities offered by the land and river, provide a challenge to provide the necessary Fire, Rescue and EMS needs for the residents and visitors.
During the winter months, skiers travel to and from the Stevens Pass ski area in which the department sees an increase in ski related accidents and injuries. During the Summer months, the department responds to many calls associated with camping, hiking, rafting and off road vehicle related rescues. With the summer dryness, the wildland fire potential increases tenfold. The District is one of the few Snohomish County Fire Districts that regularly provides state mobilization resources to fight large scale wildland fires around the state.

This fire department has been able to utilize live in resident firefighters and other volunteer personnel to maintain a first out on duty response crew in one of its two fire stations. These on duty fire and EMS personnel are supplemented by additional response from the volunteer firefighters that respond from their homes. The District volunteers are the success behind this organization. The pride and commitment they bring to this emergency service is second to none.