Wildfire investigation opens near Tetlin at zero acres

A new wildfire near Tetlin sits at zero acres, but Alaska 511 has classified it as a "Fire Investigation," a status confirming the fire exists without yet establishing a cause.

Alaska 511 logged the blaze as wildfire 27435. Crews discovered it Aug. 22 at 9:41 a.m. Alaska Daylight Time, at coordinates 63.2038917119291, -142.763080445007. The system updated the record eight minutes later. The report does not list a cause, threatened structures, or any evacuation order.

The Mukluk Fire, burning separately west of Tok, has no established connection to wildfire 27435. That fire has burned 5,077 acres and is 16% contained, with 167 personnel assigned. Level 3 evacuations remain ordered north of the Alaska Highway from Mackenzie Trail to East 5th Street. The Aug. 22 Alaska 511 record does not say whether that evacuation order is still in effect.

Residents who spot wildland fires in the Tetlin area can report them to Tok State Forestry at 907-883-3473.