UPDATE 10:30PM: The Mukluk Fire (#487) is now 16% contained, with the secured portion located in the community of Tok. Satellite mapping estimates the fire at 5,077 acres, however heavy smoke and clouds covered portions of the north and northeastern edge of the fire, so the acreage is expected to change as better mapping becomes available.
Nearly 200 firefighters and numerous engines are currently assigned to the fire. Three air tankers, two water scooping aircraft, five helicopters and an aircraft coordinating air operations supported suppression efforts today. The arrival of air tankers capable of dropping retardant has strengthened the aerial response.
Protecting residents, firefighters and property remains the priority. No additional structures were reported to be impacted today as of 10:30 p.m., although crews are still assessing damage in the fire area.
The southeast edge remains the most active, where crews are working to slow the fire’s spread. On the northwestern side near where the fire started, firefighters worked to suppress fire burning near homes. Dozers cleared vegetation to create barriers, but more work is needed to complete them.
The fire has crossed Red Fox Drive and continued northeast toward the Tanana River. Hardwood trees within an area that burned in 1990 are helping slow its spread. Crews are assessing whether the fire has reached or crossed the river. Embers carried by the wind have started spot fires up to half a mile ahead of the main fire.
Dozers, smokejumpers, engines and other firefighters are building fireline through thick spruce along the western and northeastern sides. Crews are working to prevent the fire from moving back toward the west and threatening additional homes and vegetation.
Level 3 GO! evacuations remain in place north of the Alaska Highway from Mackenzie Trail to East 5th Street, including Red Fox Drive. The Alaska Highway remains open as of this update.
Residents must not enter the evacuation area. People returning to evacuated neighborhoods are putting themselves at risk, blocking access and delaying firefighters. Active fire, burning hazardous materials, downed powerlines, hidden ash pits and falling fire weakened trees continue to make the area extremely dangerous.
Tomorrow, firefighters will continue protecting structures, strengthening firelines and working to secure the northwestern side of the fire. Crews will also continue assessing structures within the burned area. Cooler temperatures are expected later this week, but no wetting rain is currently forecast.
More than 100 people attended Tuesday evening’s community meeting in Tok. A recording of the meeting is available on the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Link to the Community meeting here: https://youtu.be/akR3Zl_zyoI?si=bNaMVdjjywusNWb9
This will be the last update for the evening. We will update again in the morning when more information is available.
UPDATE 3:45pm: The Mukluk Fire (#487) is estimated at 5,533 acres. Firefighters remain focused on protecting lives and property while slowing the fire’s spread.
There is a community meeting scheduled for tonight at 7PM located at the Tok Dog Mushers Association. The meeting will be recorded and shared the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Facebook page as well as our YouTube after it concludes.
The fire is most active along the northern and northeastern sides. It has not reached the Tanana River. Fire behavior remains very active in several areas, with the most intense activity occurring in continuous spruce on the northeastern side.
Firefighters are continuing to protect homes and other structures along the southern side of the fire. Multiple helicopters are assigned to support those efforts with water drops. Resources are in place throughout the fire area and are actively working on suppression and structure protection.
Eleven additional smokejumpers have parachuted into the fire area and are joining suppression efforts. Additional crews are also responding, including a wildland fire crew from Yukon, Canada. Air tankers and water scooping aircraft are traveling to the fire.
State and local partners are coordinating emergency assistance and disaster relief for Tok residents affected by the fire.
Evacuations remain in place north of the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Highway remains open as of the publication of this update. The evacuation shelter is located at Tok School.
Please stay out of the fire area and evacuation zone due to dangerous conditions and ongoing firefighting activity.
9:30AM: The Mukluk Fire (#487) was first reported shortly before noon on August 17 in the backyard of a residence off the Alaska Highway near Sundog Trail. The fire grew rapidly due to strong winds and extreme fire behavior. The priorities throughout the response have been protecting lives, protecting the community and slowing the fire’s spread.
The fire is now estimated at approximately 3,000 acres. Early reports indicate approximately 20 homes have been damaged, and additional structures remain threatened today. These numbers may change as crews gather more information and assess the damage.
Level 3 GO! evacuations remain in place north of the Alaska Highway from Mackenzie Trail to East 5th Street, including Red Fox Drive. Do not enter the fire area or evacuation zone. Active fire, downed powerlines, falling trees and hidden ash pits continue to make the area dangerous.
From the initial report, the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection responded with all available local, regional and statewide resources. Firefighters, engines, smokejumpers, helicopters, dozers and local fire departments were engaged as the incident grew.
More firefighters and equipment continue to arrive, smokejumpers, air tankers, water scooping aircraft and helicopters are enroute. Crews are continuing to fight the fire and protect homes and other structures. An incident management team has been ordered and is traveling to Tok to help coordinate the response.
This fire is deeply personal for our Tok staff. Members of our team, including local leadership, lost their own homes while continuing to support the response and their community. We are incredibly proud of them, and our priority now is making sure they, their families and the entire Tok community have the support they need.
Additional updates will be shared as information becomes available.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 