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Mukluk Fire evacuations to lift on Saturday

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  • Acres: 7,335 
  • Containment: 29% 
  • Location: Tok, AK 
  • Start Date: Aug. 17, 2026 
  • Fuels: Black Spruce, Shrubs, Grass 
  • Personnel:  323 
A firefighter holds a chainsaw while standing on the edge of a cut tree line. A red fuel can and two tools are at his feet.
A Gannet Glacier crewmember cuts hazard trees along a road in the community impacted by the Mukluk Fire on Aug. 22, 2026. Photo by J. Hale/AKCIMT

Highlights:  Firefighters are finishing work to stabilize natural hazards in burned neighborhoods along the southern edge of the Mukluk Fire on Friday. Officials plan to lift the remaining evacuation orders on Saturday and let residents return home. With lingering hot spots extinguished and unstable trees removed within 50 feet of structures, driveways, and roads, crews can now shift their focus away from active fire suppression. The next phase will focus on retrieving equipment, disposing of woody debris, and repairing areas disturbed during efforts to protect Tok and the surrounding area. Please give firefighters plenty of space so they can work safely. 

People need to watch for unstable trees, weakened root systems, ash pits and unstable or eroded ground – especially after wind or rain. Protect yourself by wearing sturdy footwear, gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection as appropriate when working around ash, debris and damaged materials.  

Residents returning to fire-impacted properties are urged to avoid any hazardous materials that may remain in the debris. Burned structures, vehicles, and other debris can leave behind ash, sharp metal, chemicals, and other dangerous substances that should not be handled without proper protective equipment. The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is preparing a plan to support property owners with debris removal. 

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) is extending fire season in the Delta, Tok and Copper River protection areas due to continued dry conditions and an increased risk of wildland fire. The extension begins Tuesday, Sept. 1, and continues through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14. There is also burn permit suspension in place for Tok Protection Area.  

Operations:  The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Midnight Sun Hotshots from Fairbanks, along with the U.S. Forest Service Smith River and Redding Hotshots from California, have completed their assignments and will travel to the Lower 48, where they are urgently needed during an increasingly volatile fire season. Numerous crews, engines, and heavy equipment will remain to continue suppression repair work. 

Weather & Fire Behavior:  Friday’s forecast calls for breezy, overcast conditions with scattered showers that are not expected to produce any meaningful wetting rain. Fire behavior will remain subdued, limited to smoldering and creeping, and will stay contained within the fire’s current footprint. 

Mukluk Fire Information:

Download a PDF version of the update.

A map of the Mukluk Fire showing the fire's southern perimeter as contained black line within the community. A red shaded block shows the Go level evacuation level.
This map shows the perimeter of the Mukluk Fire as well as the evacuation zone. Click on the image to download the PDF file.
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)

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