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Mukluk Fire perpares transition to local command; suppression repair continues

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A burned forest floor with blackened soil, fallen jackstrawed trees, and exposed roots beneath standing black spruce and birch trees.
Fire-weakened trees, unstable ground, ash pits, and lingering heat can remain hazards in burned areas. Stay alert and use caution when entering the fire area, even after the immediate fire threat has passed. Photo by I. Solomon, DFFP Type 3 Operations Chief

Acres: 7,335
Containment: 29%
Location: Tok, AK
Start Date: Aug. 17, 2026
Fuels: Black Spruce, Shrubs, Grass
Personnel: 55

Labor Day is the final day the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) Type 3 organization will manage the Mukluk Fire. A local Type 4 organization, led by incoming Incident Commander Matt Durfey, will assume command early Tuesday morning. Many resources assigned to the Mukluk Fire will remain in place to complete suppression-repair objectives and continue patrolling the fire.

On Sunday, excavators continued south along the fire’s eastern flank, repairing dozer line constructed during suppression operations. An engine crew worked alongside the excavators to extinguish remaining hotspots in berms created during line construction. Dozer-line repair on the eastern flank will continue today.

The Tanana Chiefs Type 2 Initial Attack Crew returned Sunday to complete repair work in areas not accessible to heavy equipment, patrol containment lines and remove debris from those lines. On Monday, firefighters will continue patrolling containment lines and checking the fire perimeter for hotspots.

Burned areas can remain hazardous even after the immediate fire threat has passed. Fire-weakened or dead standing trees may fall without warning, even on calm days. What appears to be solid ground may conceal ash pits, and hotspots can persist within the fire’s interior. People entering burned areas should remain alert, stay aware of their surroundings, and use caution around standing dead trees, unstable ground, and areas that may still contain heat.

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 began Tuesday, Sept. 1, and continues through 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 14.

Weather & Fire Behavior: Overnight showers will clear Monday morning and remain dry through Monday with mostly cloudy skies and high temperatures around 66 degrees. A chance for rain showers returns to the area for Tuesday and Wednesday Late-season conditions, including good overnight humidity recovery, shorter daylight periods and chances for precipitation, are expected to limit the potential for fire growth, even as warmer and drier conditions continue into the weekend. Suppression efforts, natural barriers and seasonal conditions are expected to keep fire behavior minimal. The Mukluk Fire has remained within its current footprint since Aug. 27.

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 

Download a PDF version of the update.

Map of the Mukluk Fire north of Tok, Alaska, showing the fire perimeter in red, contained fire edge in black, and uncontained edge in red. The map identifies the fire as 7,335 acres as of August 27, 2026, and shows its proximity to Tok, the Tanana River, Old River Road, local roads, Native allotments, and the incident command post.
This map shows the perimeter of the Mukluk Fire. Click on the image to download the PDF file.
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