Mukluk

Evacuation orders lifted as crews shift focus to suppression repair

The Mukluk Fire is burning near Tok in Southeast Fairbanks County with minimal activity confined inside existing perimeter lines. Over the last 72 hours, crews held all established lines and transitioned operations entirely to suppression repair and extinguishing interior hot spots. The fire presents no active threat to surrounding communities.

Evacuations and Closures

• All evacuation orders for Tok and surrounding neighborhoods were lifted on August 29, with no evacuations currently in effect.
• Regulated fire season and burn permit requirements for the Tok area are extended through September 14 as of August 31.

Impact

Residences, workshops, outbuildings, and garages were destroyed across the fire footprint. Main power distribution lines have been re-energized across the community, though some individual property connections remain offline. Emergency management and environmental officials are assisting returning residents with debris cleanup and warning of ash pits and hazardous materials.

Conditions and Outlook

Cool weather with lingering light showers will gradually taper off over the next few days as gusty northwest winds ease and turn easterly. Fire behavior is expected to stay subdued, consisting of creeping and smoldering in interior fuels, though falling fire-damaged trees continue to create hazards. Crews will concentrate on suppression repair and equipment retrieval before transferring command to a Type 3 organization on Tuesday.

Cause and Context

The fire started on August 17 in the Midnight Sun neighborhood of Tok and remains under formal interagency investigation following initial reports of a human-caused ignition involving power lines.

Resources

• Alaska Wildland Fire Information
• Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection
• Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Official updates current through August 31, 2026.