Home › Active Wildland Fire › Winds expected to challenge firefighters as unstable trees increase risks on the Mukluk Fire

Winds expected to challenge firefighters as unstable trees increase risks on the Mukluk Fire

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on August 23, 2026

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s Gannett Glacier Crew removes hazardous trees and thins dense black spruce to help protect structures along the Mukluk Fire’s southern edge. Photo by Jessie Hale/AKCIMT.
The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Gannet Glacier Crew cuts down hazard trees and thinning a thick stand of black spruce as part of an effort to make the fire’s southern edge safer. Photo by Jessie Hale/AKCIMT

Acres: 7,260
Containment: 20%
Location: Tok, AK
Start Date: Aug. 17, 2026
Fuels: Black Spruce, Shrubs, Grass
Personnel: 350

A community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Tok School gymnasium.

Highlights: Gusty winds shifting to the northwest Sunday will challenge firefighting efforts and overall safety on the Mukluk Fire. Sustained winds of 10 to 12 mph, with gusts up to 28 mph, are expected to topple numerous fire‑weakened trees. Falling trees create highly dangerous conditions for anyone in the fire area, including striking personnel and the public, or blocking roadways and cutting off egress routes.

Operations: With dozer line construction mostly complete along the eastern and western flanks, most firefighters, including recently arrived hand and engine crews, will concentrate on cooling hot spots, removing unstable trees, and clearing brush around homes and roads. Work in these areas will continue but will be halted if wind‑driven hazards make conditions too dangerous.

A substantial amount of heat remains in the southeast corner, where several crews are working Sunday. Additional engines from throughout Alaska, along with the Smith River and Redding hotshots from California, will join others in the fire’s southern footprint to help protect surviving structures, remove hazards, and fortify containment line.

Smokejumpers will work on strengthening the roughly 5‑mile western control line, while dozers and the Nulato Hills crew continue the same work on the eastern edge. Both efforts require heavy use of saws to remove downed trees.

Weather & Fire Behavior: Cooler, wetter weather will help offset some of the potential for increased fire activity driven by Sunday’s winds. Cloud cover and higher humidity levels are expected to moderate burning conditions despite gusty northwest winds. About .25 inch of rain has fallen on the fire area overnight. The rain will taper off later this morning, and the winds will pick up.

Mukluk Fire Information: