Level 3 GO evacuations ordered north of the Alaska Highway as the Mukluk Fire spreads near Tok

Residents north of the Alaska Highway west of Tok are ordered to leave now under a Level 3 GO evacuation issued Monday afternoon, as the Mukluk Fire burns through the Sundog and Midnight Sun area. Evacuees are being directed to Mushers Hall.

The two evacuation notices do not describe the same ground. A noon entry places the GO zone north of the Alaska Highway from Sundog Trail to Midnight Sun Drive, and that is the only description the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection carries in its own incident post. An update at 1:15 pm instead reads: "Tok, north of MP1316.5 Alaska Hwy between Moose Horn Road and Sun Dog Trail." Nothing in the record reconciles the two. The division later pointed the public to the PBS WARN system for current evacuation status.

A downed powerline is actively arcing on the ground. The division asked people to avoid the area and not approach any downed lines.

The fire is estimated at about 20 acres and very active, the division said. Winds around 20 mph are driving it through the Sundog and Midnight Sun area, the Alaska Highway is serving as the southern boundary, and the fire is moving rapidly toward the Tanana River.

It was first reported in a backyard off the highway near Sundog Trail shortly before noon. The cause has not been established, and no closure of the Alaska Highway has been reported.

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks issued a Red Flag Warning for the Upper Tanana Valley at 12:36 pm, in effect until 7 pm Monday. It forecasts southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph gusting to 30, humidity as low as 20 percent, and highs in the mid to upper 70s. "Critical fire weather conditions are expected due to a combination of gusty downsloping winds," the warning said. Winds are forecast to ease Monday night into Tuesday. Burn permits have been suspended in the Fairbanks, Delta and Tok areas since Aug. 12.

By 2:25 pm the response included nine smokejumpers, the CATG squad, local fire departments, numerous division engines and a helicopter, with Alaska State Troopers on scene.

This is a developing story.