Acres: 7,339
Containment: 45%
Location: Tok, Alaska
Start Date: Aug. 17, 2026
Fuels: Black Spruce, Shrubs, Grass
Personnel: 31
Strong winds Wednesday forced firefighters to pause planned suppression repair along the western flank north of Red Fox Drive. Trees within the burned area have little or no root system remaining in some locations and were falling with little warning. Crews moved out of the timber and shifted their work to removing trees that had fallen across roadways and watching for trees threatening power lines. More than two dozen trees were reported down on power lines across Tok, including green trees outside the burned area. Alaska Power & Telephone shut off power to affected lines so firefighters and utility crews could respond safely.
Residents should remain alert for fallen trees and power lines throughout Tok. Stay away from any downed line or tree touching a power line and do not attempt to remove it.
Gusty winds also caused some remaining hotspots along the fire’s western flank to flare up, making smoke visible from town. The activity remained within previously burned portions of the existing perimeter, and the Mukluk Fire has not grown since Aug. 27.
If you see fire or smoke, call 911 so it can be reported and dispatched through the proper emergency channels. Do not call the local forestry office to report a fire.
On Thursday, the Tanana Chiefs Conference Type 2 Initial Attack Crew and two excavators will assess the western edge of the fire and resume suppression repair where conditions are safe. Firefighters will continue patrolling for hotspots and removing hazardous trees when it is safe to do so.
The burned area north of Red Fox Drive remains unsafe. With hunting season underway, fire managers continue to urge hunters and others traveling near the western edge of the fire to stay out of this area. Hazards include falling trees, ash pits, unstable ground and pockets of heat.
Residents cleaning fire damaged property should not bury hazardous materials or contaminated debris. Contaminants can move through the ground and affect nearby wells, including wells serving neighboring properties. The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Team Rubicon continue to assist affected landowners. Recovery applications, debris disposal guidance and additional cleanup information are available at https://linktr.ee/2026MuklukFire.
Weather & Fire Behavior: Winds are forecast to be much lighter Thursday, with northwest winds around 5 mph. Isolated early morning showers will give way to mostly cloudy skies, with a high near 54 degrees. Temperatures are expected to warm Friday, reaching near 68 degrees with light winds. Some rain fell over the fire Wednesday, but pockets of heat may continue to smolder and produce smoke.
Fire season remains in effect in the Delta, Tok and Copper River protection areas through 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 14. Burn permits are still required, and anyone planning to burn must confirm that burning is allowed before beginning. Check permit status at https://forestry.alaska.gov/burn/.
Mukluk Fire Information:
Information Line: (907) 505-0362 – Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2026.Mukluk@firenet.gov
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 