Tok Mukluk Fire Only 30% 'Contained'. Has Grown To Over 7,000 Acres.
The Tanana Chiefs Fire Crew Fire Crew clears out fire-damaged trees along the fire’s southern edge on Aug. 22, 2026. Photo by J. Hale/AKCIMT...
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Mukluk Fire evacuation area shrinks
- Acres: 7,260
- Containment: 29%
- Location: Tok, AK
- Start Date: Aug. 17, 2026
- Fuels: Black Spruce, Shrubs, Grass
- Personnel: 350
Highlights: Evacuation levels have changed, reducing the Level 3 GO! to the properties within the Mukluk Fire footprint. Work progresses to ensure the area within the fire’s perimeter is safe to repopulate these neighborhoods once work is complete in the Midnight Sun Zone evacuation zone.
Operations: The crews’ work is concentrated within the southern perimeter. Firefighters are gridding the area to systematically locate and extinguish remaining heat within 50 feet of structures, roads, and driveways. To do this, they are walking the ground to find smoldering vegetation, roots, or stumps and cooling those spots until they’re cold to the touch. They’re also identifying and cutting hazard trees, bucking usable wood and piling it, and gathering unsalvageable woody debris into piles for safe burning. Excavators are being used to remove larger debris from the burned area.
Dozers built a containment line Monday directly along the southern edge of a finger on the eastern portion of the fire. The Nulato Hills Crew is laying hose along the line, working to extinguish hot spots on the fire’s edge.
Weather & Fire Behavior: Tuesday will bring another shift in weather as a storm moves in from the Bering Sea. Expect breezy conditions with south winds gusting up to 25 mph in the afternoon and evening. Clouds will thicken by late evening, followed by light rain. That rain is forecast to continue into Wednesday morning.
_________Rain aids firefighters; safety threats remain on properties impacted by Mukluk Fire
- Acres: 7,260
- Containment: 29%
- Location: Tok, AK
- Start Date: Aug. 17, 2026
- Fuels: Black Spruce, Shrubs, Grass
- Personnel: 328
Highlights: Recent significant rainfall in the Mukluk Fire area allowed officials to lift all Level 1 READY and Level 2 SET evacuation zones on Sunday afternoon. Level 3 GO! Midnight Sun Zone on the north side of the Alaska Highway from Sun Dog Trail to 5th Street East and north of Red Fox Drive, remains in place. While the overall fire threat in this zone has decreased, hazard trees continue to pose serious safety risks for firefighters, emergency responders, and the public.
Around 100 people attended a community meeting at Tok School Sunday evening, where fire, emergency response, and assistance officials provided updates on the current fire situation, the outlook, and available recovery support for those affected by the Mukluk Fire. A recording of the meeting is available on the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Operations: Firefighters took advantage of approximately half an inch of rain to make progress along the southern perimeter, which remains under evacuation. Crews are cooling hot spots, removing unstable trees, and clearing brush around homes and roadways. Work was briefly paused Sunday due to safety concerns brought on by wind and rain. Engine crews continue nighttime patrols in parts of Tok impacted by the fire to watch for any potential flare-ups.
The Alaska Team is coordinating closely with Alaska Power & Telephone to bring utility workers into cleared areas as soon as conditions are safe. This careful, step‑by‑step process will improve safety and help restore power before residents are allowed to return to the evacuated area.
Evacuations: Level 3 GO! (Red) for Midnight Sun Zone, the area on the north side of the Alaska Highway from Sun Dog Trail on the west to 5th Street East on the east to north of Red Fox Drive.
Weather & Fire Behavior: After Sunday’s substantial rainfall, warmer and drier conditions return Monday before colder, wetter weather moves in Tuesday. The added moisture to the ground and heavy vegetation will limit fire spread, with activity expected to be mostly creeping, smoldering, and occasional isolated torching within the established perimeter. The fall‑like weather in the coming days will support firefighters as they work toward containment along the perimeter and around affected structures.
Mukluk Fire Information:
- Information Line: (907) 505-0362 – Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Email: 2026.Mukluk@firenet.gov
- For more information: https://linktr.ee/2026MuklukFire
