More than 200 people are working the Tetlin River Fire, south of Tok. The wildfire, suspected to be human caused, has grown to over a thousand acres since starting Friday southwest of the village of Tetlin. Alaska Division of Forestry spokesman Tim Mowry said the village, 16 miles off the Alaska Highway, is the focus of suppression efforts.
“Protect the airstrips on the outskirts of the village and keep the fire from entering the village,” Mowry said. “Thus far they’ve been able to do that with aircraft and some hard work.”
There are about 120 homes in Tetlin, but no evacuation order has been issued. Cooler temperatures and showers were forecast for the area today (Mon.)
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
