Tok
RSSNews from Tok, Alaska
Tok's 40-Mile Air gets $45,000 contract for helicopter flights to track Yukon-Charley wolves
The Park Service is paying a Tok air service $45,000 for on-call helicopter time to keep tabs on Yukon-Charley's wolves. The wolves were not consulted.

Alaska will clear Tok's fire debris free
Alaska will clear fire debris in Tok for free, but owners must sign a packet whose terms are final — and the form isn't posted where the state says it is.

Idaho firm that already runs the Alcan port wins its $48,169 snow removal order
An Idaho firm won a $48,169 federal task order to plow the Alcan border port near Tok. The same company already holds a $1.16 million contract to run operations and maintenance at the port and the Fairbanks Federal Building.

Crews dig out buried hotspot near Tok home as Mukluk Fire hits 70% containment
Weeks after the Mukluk Fire, crews dug a still-smoldering log out of the ground near a Tok home, and fire managers expect more buried heat.

The refuge at the top of the Alaska Highway is getting exhibits built for blind visitors
The first wildlife refuge most people see driving into Alaska is getting exhibits built for visitors who cannot see them. Taxidermy included.

Wind topples two dozen trees onto Tok's power lines, stalling fire recovery
Winds knocked more than two dozen trees onto Tok's power lines Wednesday, some outside the burn scar, cutting power and stalling the Mukluk Fire recovery.

Haines donation drive collects wood stoves and building supplies for Tok fire rebuilding
Haines residents are collecting wood stoves, refrigerators, and building supplies for Tok-area households rebuilding after the Mukluk Fire destroyed 50 homes in August.

The roads torn up fighting the Tok fire have been graded back
The roads firefighters tore up while saving Tok have been graded back into shape. Residents need them to reach what is left of their property.

Most of what the Tok fire burned was outbuildings. Aid may not cover them.
Two-thirds of what the Mukluk Fire destroyed near Tok were outbuildings, and the only aid program for those families generally does not cover them.

Fifty homes destroyed at Tok in Alaska's lightest burn year since 1995
The Mukluk Fire destroyed more than 40 homes at Tok during Alaska's lightest burn year since 1995, making it one of the most destructive fires in state history despite record-low statewide acreage.

Mukluk Fire survivors near Tok have until Oct. 19 to register for state aid
People near Tok whose homes or property were hit by the Mukluk Fire have until Oct. 19 to sign up for state disaster aid. The fire destroyed 50 homes.

Mukluk Fire evacuation order shrinks to properties inside the burn near Tok
Residents outside the Mukluk Fire's burn near Tok can return home, but 44 destroyed homes and hazard trees keep the evacuation order in place for properties inside the fire's 7,333-acre footprint.

Troopers arrest Tok man accused of harassing firefighters on ATV
Alaska State Troopers arrested a 69-year-old Tok man accused of harassing firefighters on an ATV near the Mukluk Fire, charging him with DUI, reckless driving, and disorderly conduct.

Cause of Tok's Mukluk Fire stays officially under investigation
The cause of the Mukluk Fire near Tok, which damaged about 20 homes, remains under investigation — early reports pointed to power lines but aren't confirmed.

Tok fire's south end contained, but Midnight Sun stays evacuated about another week
The south end of the Mukluk Fire near Tok is contained, but the Midnight Sun neighborhood stays evacuated about another week as crews clear hazards.

Tok has no way to warn its residents, and a state coordinator says it cost houses
Tok has no townwide alarm, and a state wildfire coordinator said the gap cost houses in the Mukluk Fire. Residents said they never got a GO alert.

Mukluk Fire crews shift to southwest flank ahead of Sunday wind change
Mukluk Fire crews shifted to the southwest flank Saturday ahead of forecast northwesterly winds Sunday, with Level 3 evacuation orders still in effect north of the Alaska Highway near Tok.

Tok DMV closed Wednesday as Mukluk Fire evacuation continues
The Tok DMV and every state office at 1314 Alaska Highway are closed Wednesday under the Mukluk Fire evacuation, with no reopening date given

Tok evacuation order still stands after phone alert expired Tuesday
The phone alert telling parts of Tok to evacuate expired Tuesday and was not reissued. The order still stands, and the fire has crossed Red Fox Drive.

Mukluk Fire households can apply for up to $44,800 in state grants through Oct. 19
Households hit by the Mukluk Fire can apply for up to $44,800 in state grants through Oct. 19. The state's own paperwork lists two different hotlines.

About 20 homes damaged in the Mukluk Fire at Tok, some belonging to the firefighters
About 20 homes have burned in the Mukluk Fire at Tok, some belonging to the firefighters working it. The fire hit 5,533 acres Tuesday afternoon.

FEMA's Mukluk Fire grant pays for firefighting, not for people who lost homes
FEMA declared a fire grant for the Mukluk Fire on Tuesday. It pays for firefighting supplies and crew gear, not for anyone who lost a house.

Level 3 GO evacuations ordered north of the Alaska Highway as the Mukluk Fire spreads near Tok
A fast-moving wildfire near Tok has forced residents north of the Alaska Highway to evacuate immediately, with winds gusting to 30 mph and critical fire conditions expected through Monday evening.

Alaska moves to return 40 acres it wrongly took from a Native allotment
Alaska is moving to return nearly 40 acres near Tok that it says was wrongly conveyed to the state, so the federal government can complete a Native allotment claim in Emma Northway's name.

Alaska DNR moves to fix erroneous land conveyance near Tok; comment deadline August 18
Alaska DNR will return 39.50 acres near Tok to federal trust for an Alaska Native allotment holder Emma Northway, with public comments due August 18.
