Agency Assist: Bear Incident on trail located in bear valley

Updated to include details on a drone deployment

On July 18, 2026 at about 5:30 p.m., Anchorage Police Department (APD) Swing Shift officers along with personnel from the Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) and Alaska State Troopers (AST) and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) responded to reports of a bear incident on a trail in the area of Kenai Terrace Road and Brewsters Drive located in Bear Valley.

Upon arrival, APD officers climbed the trail where they located an adult female who sustained non-life-threatening injuries after encountering a brown bear while hiking with another person. AFD personnel carried her down the trail and transported the woman to a local hospital.

As the rescue was happening, APD officers deployed a drone to monitor for bear activity in the area. Officers were able to locate a brown bear nearby and monitor the activity to ensure that first responders and the injured hiker remained safe during the rescue.

Over the past year, APD has deployed more drones and pilots as part of an ongoing commitment to safety during incidents. Drones are deployed in accordance with all applicable laws and department policies, including strict privacy protections and usage guidelines.

Drone Video: https://youtu.be/Nwz6oLqQtDQ

APD Case 26-19000