'Light the Night' Tribute for Fallen Firefighters Tribute to Begin April 26
In remembrance of firefighters who have lost their lives while performing their duties, famous structures, fire stations, and residences around the country will start to turn red in the days preceding the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) organizes the annual "Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters" tribute, inviting communities across the U.S. to light up homes, businesses, firehouses and landmarks from April 26 to May 3 to honor fallen firefighters and support their families.
“Light the Night gives communities a simple way to take part in remembrance,” said Victor Stagnaro, NFFF CEO. “For the families who have lost a firefighter, these lights mean more than you’d know. When a firehouse, landmark, or front porch turns red, it says their loved one is not forgotten. That their sacrifice still matters. And that we’re all standing with them.”
The NFFF lowers its flags to half-staff about every three days to remember a firefighter who lost their life in the line of duty in the United States.
"Light the Night" will precede the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, scheduled for May 2-3, 2026, in Emmitsburg, MD.
A total of 204 firefighters who died while performing their duties—97 in 2025 and 107 in previous years—will be formally honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during Memorial Weekend.
Families, firefighters and supporters from all across the nation attend public events, including a candlelight ceremony on Saturday night and the memorial service on Sunday morning.
People can take part in this national commemoration with "Light the Night," no matter where they live or work. In the week before Memorial Weekend, companies, towns, and fire agencies illuminate buildings or public areas. Individuals can put red light bulbs in their homes.
Since the tribute's inception in 2017, participation has grown from a modest commemorative endeavor to a well-known public celebration of the firefighter's sacrifices. Among those famous structures who have been bathed in red are:
- One World Trade Center, New York City
- Willis Tower, Chicago
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Skydance Bridge in Okahoma City
Nearly 60 well-known landmarks are expected to participate in "Light the Night" this year.
On the NFFF's Light the Night website, individuals, organizations, municipalities, and fire departments can get information and register to participate voluntarily.
Participants are invited to send images of their tributes to the NFFF: [email protected] or use #NFFFLightTheNight2026 on social media.
Other Fallen Firefighter Memorial Weekend observances include:
- Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters: Firehouses, churches and other institutions ring bells in remembrance on May 2-3.
- Sound the Sirens: Fire departments are invited to sound their sirens at 12 p.m. on May 3.
- All federal buildings lower their flags to half-staff on May 3.
About the Author
Ryan Baker
Associate Editor
Ryan Baker is a writer and associate editor with prior experiences in online and print production. Ryan is an associate editor for Firehouse with a master's degree in sciences of communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He recently completed a year of teaching Intro to Public Speaking at UW-Whitewater, as part of his graduate program. Ryan acquired his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2023 from UW-Whitewater, and operates currently out of Minneapolis, MN. Baker, also writes freelances for the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) in his free time, while also umpiring baseball for various ages across the Twin Cities Metro Area.