Alaska management team takes command of Mukluk Fire as Canadian aircraft and additional crews arrive

Photo: Alaska CIMT Incident Commander Jake Livingston speaks at Thursday’s morning briefing. Credit: Emily Hjortstorp/DFFP

By THE ALASKA STORY

Aug. 20, 2026 – The Alaska Complex Incident Management Team #1 took command of the Mukluk Fire near Tok at 7 am Thursday as additional firefighters and aircraft arrived to reinforce efforts to contain the blaze and protect the community.

Two water-scooping aircraft arrived Wednesday from Canada. The Midnight Sun Hotshot Crew and the Tanana Chiefs Type 2 Initial Attack Crew also returned from assignments in the Lower 48 and joined the response.

The new resources add to the air tankers, helicopters, bulldozers, engines and ground crews already assigned to the fire. The most recently reported estimate placed the fire at 5,077 acres and 16% containment.

Within Tok, firefighters are strengthening containment lines, protecting structures and patrolling for flare-ups. Six bulldozers and smokejumpers are cutting a fireline through thick spruce along the fire’s western edge, working north to establish a stronger containment line.

As more crews arrive, they will be assigned to the northeastern side of the fire to build fireline and reinforce control efforts. Firefighters also plan to patrol the Tanana River for spot fires and assess cabins and Native allotments in the area.

Protecting residents, firefighters and property remains the top priority, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Officials are asking members of the public to stay out of areas under Level 3 “GO!” evacuation orders. Numerous hazards remain, and unnecessary traffic could interfere with firefighters and heavy equipment operating in the area.

Some relief may come from the weather. Increased cloud cover is expected to moderate temperatures and reduce the formation of an inversion over the fire.

Temperatures Thursday and Friday are forecast to remain in the upper 60s to lower 70s, while minimum relative humidity should improve to between 35% and 50%. Isolated showers are possible Thursday, although they are not expected to produce enough rain to significantly dampen the fire.

Isolated afternoon thunderstorms could develop over the terrain north of the fire through Saturday. Any nearby storm could produce gusty and unpredictable outflow winds, potentially increasing fire activity.

The Midnight Sun Zone remains under a Level 3 “GO!” evacuation order. The zone covers the area north of the Alaska Highway, from Sun Dog Trail on the west to 5th Street East on the east, extending north of Red Fox Drive.

Three areas remain under Level 2 “SET” notices:

• The Sun Dog Zone, north of the Alaska Highway from Makenzie Trail to Sun Dog Trail and north to Red Fox Drive. Homes west of Sun Dog Trail and north of Red Fox Drive are also included.
• The Willow West Zone, north of West Willow Way from Sun Dog Trail to West C Street and south of the Alaska Highway.
• The Tok City Zone, north of West Willow Way from West C Street and Moose Horn Road to East D Street and south of 3rd Avenue.

Four areas remain at Level 1 “READY”:

• The Makenzie Zone, west of Makenzie Trail, north of Borealis Avenue and south of Red Fox Drive.
• The Scoby Zone, south of the Alaska Highway, east of Makenzie Trail, west of Scoby Way and north of Borealis Avenue.
• The Borealis Zone, south of Willow Avenue West, east of D Street East, west of Scoby Way and north of Borealis Avenue.
• The Airport Zone, north and south of the Alaska Highway, extending east from D Street East to beyond the Musher’s Hall.

Residents may obtain fire information by calling 907-505-0362 between 8 am and 8 pm. Updates and maps are at Alaska Wildland Fire Information and the state’s evacuation map.