Some Tok residents can return to their homes, at least for now, after fire officials relaxed some of the evacuation orders for the Mukluk Fire. The fire, which officials say was started by a downed power line on Monday, has damaged or destroyed at least 20 homes in the eastern Interior Alaska community.
Level 3 GO orders have been reduced in size since the fire started. But some are still in place for neighborhoods north of the Alaska Highway, from Sun Dog Trail to Red Fox Drive. People who live just east, west, or south of that area are at Level 2 SET status, which means they should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Some residents just outside that zone are at Level 1 READY status.
The downgrade comes with the arrival of cooler, more humid weather, as well as more fire crews and aircraft on the scene.
The fire is still gaining ground in the northwest, which is mostly away from town. Emergency officials are also cautioning of the possibility of lightning strikes sparking more fires in the coming days.
Emergency officials are asking the public to stay out of the Level 3 evacuation zones to avoid hazards like smoldering ash pits and downed power lines, as well as to give firefighters space to work.