Slave Lake Forest Area - July 08, 2025
The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area has climbed to high. Warm weather and gusty winds are expected over the next several days. While recent rain brought some relief, the moisture will evaporate quickly under sunny and windy conditions.
Firefighters urge everyone to do their part to prevent wildfires while enjoying the outdoors this summer. Never leave your campfire unattended and always make sure your campfire is extinguished before leaving your site.
Wildfire situation
There was one new wildfire yesterday. SWF138 was a small holdover wildfire caused by lightning. It was spotted by firefighters during an aerial patrol in a helicopter. They quickly extinguished it.
With the recent and expected lightning, new wildfires may occur. Fire lookout observers are watching for smoke and firefighters supported by helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to respond.
Since January 1, 2025 there have been 138 wildfires reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, burning a total of 376,043 hectares (ha).
To view wildfires on a map visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.
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, SWF115.
Warm and dry conditions yesterday afternoon resulted in increased fire activity across the complex, with visible smoke and open flames from several hot spots. Today’s forecast is calling for warm weather and gusty winds, reaching up to 40 km/h, which may result in more visible smoke. However, evening rain is expected and should help reduce fire activity. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, with firefighters on the ground supported by helicopters using water buckets to extinguish hot spots.
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 over the past several days.
SWF089, located approximately 5.5 km east of Peerless Lakes, is 12,928 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Fire activity continues to be low, and firefighters are extinguishing hot spots 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 80,010 ha in size and is classified as out of control. A hoist-equipped helicopter and hoist-trained crew of firefighters have been working on the north side of the wildfire to build helipads, which provides firefighters with safe access to the wildfire. Today, firefighters are using the helipads to extinguish hot spots in areas that they could not access before. Firefighters supported by heavy equipment are also focusing on extinguishing hot spots on the west side of the wildfire.
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. Firefighters are monitoring this wildfire and have observed smoke that poses no threat of fire spread to the nearby communities. Unburned vegetation within the interior of the wildfire continues to burn, and smoke will remain visible.
SWF100, located approximately 5 km west of Peerless Lake, is 18,344 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters are working on the east side of the wildfire heading west, extinguishing hot spots along containment lines. Currently, there is very little to no visible smoke on Highway 686. Firefighters continue to look for hazardous, fire-damaged trees and are working farther into the wildfire to extinguish hot spots.
Yesterday, SWF099 and SWF115, located north of Chipewyan Lake, were classified as being held.
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, 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) and the Edith Lake Wildfire are both under control. Firefighting operations have been paused until the next infrared scan is conducted to detect if there are any remaining hot spots. Heavy equipment is actively working to reclaim containment lines on these wildfires.
Get your free fire permit
You will need a fire permit for any burning in the Forest Protection Area, except for a campfire, from March 1 to October 31.
Fire permits ensure safe burning practices are being followed and allow staff to know where burning is approved so firefighters and aircraft are free to fight wildfires.
Fire permits are free and can be requested online. Visit firepermits.alberta.ca to request your fire permit online. You may also request your fire permit by calling your local forestry office.
- Slave Lake 780-849-7377
- Wabasca 780-891-3860
- High Prairie 780-523-6619
For more details about safe burning practices, see our safe burning webpage.
Published on July 8, 2025 11:20 am
Wildfire season runs March 1 – October 31.
From March 1 to October 31, all burning activities in the Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, require a fire permit.
Prevent wildfires by checking on winter burn sites. Winter burns can smoulder underground and often reignite in the spring. Extinguish a fire by soaking it, stirring it, and soaking it again.
Contact info
Leah Lovequist
780-849-0945
leah.lovequist@gov.ab.ca
Media inquiries
780-420-1968
Wildfireinfo@gov.ab.ca