Slave Lake Forest Area

Slave Lake Forest Area - July 03, 2025

Current wildfire situation

Multiple smokes were spotted last night due to lightning strikes. Intense lightning, heavy rain, and hail, resulted in the curtailing of air operations. This morning, firefighters in helicopters were dispatched to patrol the areas where smoke was reported, and accessed the wildfires.

There have been 6 new wildfires since yesterday. Of the 6 new wildfires, 1 is classified as out of control, 1 is under control and 4 have been extinguished.

SWF136 located approximately 24 kilometers (km) northwest of Marten Beach is 7 hectares in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters accessed this new wildfire this morning and report minimal fire activity. Firefighters supported by a helicopter are working on this wildfire. This wildfire does not pose a threat to Highway 754.

SWF133, located on the east side of the northern boundary of East Prairie Metis Settlement is 1.2 hectares (ha) in size and is now classified as under control. Firefighters are working to extinguish the wildfire. 

SWF132, located approximately 4.2 km east of Kapawe'no First Nation has been extinguished.

With the recent lightning new wildfires may occur, fire lookout observers and aircraft will continue to watch for smoke.

Currently there are 16 active wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

To view wildfires on a map visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.  

Since January 1, 2025, there have been 136 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 392,635 ha.

Red Earth East Complex  

The Red Earth East Complex includes 10 wildfires that are located east of Highway 88: SWF085, SWF089, SWF091, SWF092, SWF094, SWF095, SWF099, SWF100, SWF110 and SWF115.  

View the latest map of the Red Earth East complex.

Thunderstorms that passed over the complex last night brought rain with amounts between 10 to 16 mm. As a result, fire activity across all wildfires in the complex has been reduce to smouldering. There is a chance of thunderstorms again this afternoon; however, warm and dry conditions are expected to return in the coming days. 

Firefighters, supported by helicopters and heavy equipment, continue fighting the existing wildfires and are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may occur in the complex area.

SWF085, which impacted the community of Chipewyan Lake, is 138,058 ha in size and is classified as out of control. The wildfire threat to the community of Chipewyan Lake remains minimal. Firefighters in a helicopter continue to monitor the wildfire and have reported little to no fire activity observed over the past several days.

SWF089, located approximately 5.5 km east of Peerless Lakes, is 12,958 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Yesterday the fire activity was low and is expected to remain that way today. Firefighters are working to extinguish hot spots detected on the south side of the wildfire.

SWF092, located approximately 7 km southeast of Red Earth Creek and 8.5 km west of Trout Lake, is 82,056 hectares in size and is classified as out of control. Scattered rain yesterday has reduced the fire activity. As the ground continues to dry, heavy equipment supported by helicopters with buckets and firefighters will work hot spots on the south containment lines.

SWF095, located approximately 5 km from Peerless Lake and 7 km from Trout Lake is 1,308 ha in size and is classified as being held. Helicopters are monitoring the wildfire to detect any changes in fire behaviour.

SWF100, located approximately 5 km west of Peerless Lake, is 18,466 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters supported by helicopters with buckets are extinguishing hot spots along the containment lines in the northeast side of the wildfire. Firefighters also extinguished hot spots on the south side and south of highway 686.

Evacuation order

Firefighters are working extremely hard, but at this time, it is not safe for the residents of the following communities to return home. Multiple hot spots remain active, firefighting operations are ongoing and the wildfire perimeters have not yet been fully secured. 

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) crews continue to test pumps and sprinkler setups daily in the communities of Peerless Lake and Trout Lake. 

An evacuation order remains in effect for the communities of Chipewyan Lake, and Trout Lake and Peerless Lake. 

Evacuation alert

A 2 hour evacuation alert remains in effect for the communities of Red Earth Creek and Loon Lake.

For information about the wildfires in the Red Earth East Wildfire Complex, please email wf.scx0012025-iof.i@gov.ab.ca 

Blue Sky and Edith Lake wildfires (SWF088 and SWF076)

The Blue Sky Wildfire (SWF088), located 22 km north of Marten Beach is 13,684 hectares in size and is classified as under control. Firefighters, supported by heavy equipment and helicopters, continue to extinguish hot spots on the northwest and south side of the wildfire which were identified by the recent infrared scan. 

View the latest map of the Blue Sky wildfire. 

The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076), located approximately 8 km north of Swan Hills, is 16,852 hectares in size and is classified as under control. Firefighters are monitoring this wildfire by helicopter and heavy equipment continues to reclaim the containment lines.

View the latest map of the Edith Lake wildfire.

For more information these wildfires, contact Leah Lovequist at 780-849-0945 or leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca

Fire permits are required

From now until October 31, fire permits are required for any burning, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Fire permits are free and are now available online. Visit Get a fire permit for information on how to make a request online.

Fire permits are also still available, by request, from your local forest area office.

• Wabasca 780-891-3860
• Slave Lake 780-849-7377
• High Prairie 780-523-6619

Choose a safe campfire site

When visiting campgrounds or recreational areas, use the designated stoves, fire rings or fire pits. These are designed to keep fires from spreading and are the best choice for a safe campfire. When outside of a campground, use sites that are clear of dry grass and vegetation. Clear the site down to bare mineral soil, place rocks in a ring, keep it sheltered from wind and always have water nearby to extinguish your campfire. 

Never leave a campfire unattended. When you're done, always soak it, stir it and soak it again until the ashes are cool to the touch.  

When riding your off-highway vehicle

Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) have exhaust systems that get hotter than 200°C. At these temperatures, built-up materials (such as grass, muskeg, moss or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite. These can fall to the ground as you are riding, starting a wildfire. 

To help prevent wildfires when riding your OHV, stop frequently to remove any build- up of debris on your machine's muffler and always carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.