Edson Forest Area - May 31, 2025 - 8:15 pm

Wildfire situation

Since January 1, there have been 39 wildfires in the Edson Forest Area burning a total of 1,832 hectares (ha). View active wildfires, their locations and stats on the interactive map on our wildfire status page. 

Yellowhead County evacuation orders

Yellowhead County has issued several evacuation alerts and orders. Visit Alberta Emergency Alert or download the app for further information and instructions. You can also find more on their preparedness website. Evacuees can check in at the Reception Centre at the Holiday Inn Express in Edson or call 1-833-334-4630.  For highway closures, visit Alberta 511 for further information. 

EWF038 near Cynthia

EWF038 is located 12 km northeast of Cynthia, 10 km east of highway 753. It is 7 km north of highway 621 on the northeast corner of Sink Hole Lake. The wildfire is now estimated to be 10 ha and now classified as being held. 

Alberta Wildfire firefighters, helicopters and airtankers responded quickly yesterday. Firefighters will return today to prevent the spread and start searching for and extinguishing hotspots.

EWF036 near Peers

EWF036 is located on the south side of Peers. The wildfire started on the west side of highway 32 and crossed over onto the east side on May 29. The smoke has cleared from yesterday and the wildfire was accurately mapped. The size is now estimated to be 761 ha in size. The wildfire remains classified as out of control and under investigation.

Alberta Wildfire firefighters, heavy equipment, helicopters and airtankers alongside Yellowhead County Fire Department continue responding to this wildfire. 

Yesterday the wildfire reached the FireSmart vegetation block that was established previously and firefighters observed intense crown fire drop down to surface fire allowing them and airtankers to reduce the fire behavior and spread. Yellowhead County's structure protection sprinklers along the train tracks also helped with preventing the spread. 

Firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment worked through the day and will stay until late this evening. Airtankers also assisted in building containment lines and suppressed activity. The heavy equipment will continue through the night re-enforcing the containment lines surrounding the perimeter of where the fire escaped. Night vision equipped helicopters will also be available if weather conditions permit. Containment lines are built to prevent the wildfire from spreading however under windy conditions, the fire can spot across the line. 

Yellowhead County firefighters are also continuing to assess and maintain the sprinkler protection in Peers and surrounding area.

Crossover conditions were not observed today. This is when the temperature is higher then the relative humidity, which creates intense fire behavior. Strong winds are still expected this evening, gusting from the north up to 40 km/h. The fire is expected to receive some rain but may not be significant enough to change the dry conditions on the wildfire. 

Tomorrow, lower temperatures of 15C and 35% humidity is anticipated with west northwest winds 25-30 gusting got 55 km/h. The cooler temperatures will allow for better firefighting operations. 

EWF036 exhibited some fire behavior today but no new growth was recorded (May 31, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.)

EWF030 Mercoal Creek Wildfire 

EWF030 is located 6 km west of Mercoal and 16 km southwest of Robb. The wildfire escaped the perimeter yesterday and is now classified as out of control and estimated to be 400 ha. This wildfire was caused by lightning. 

This wildfire demonstrated extreme fire behavior earlier today and smoke could be seen from a far distance. By late afternoon, the temperatures dropped significantly and the fire received hail and snow, dampening the fire behavior. 

Today, firefighters, water trucks and heavy equipment with re-enforcing the containment lines. They'll be searching for and extinguishing hotspots, which often involves digging deep into the ground and dousing the smoldering fire with water.

EWF030 received rain and hail later in the afternoon, dampening wildfire behavior (May 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.)

Lightning-caused wildfires 

Lightning-caused wildfires are a common natural occurrence in Alberta, making up approximately 30% of the wildfires that occur each year in the Edson Forest Area. 

Lightning-caused wildfires can be deceptively delayed, sometimes taking days to become visible after the initial strike. When lightning hits a tree or dry vegetation, it can ignite a slow-burning fire deep within organic layers of soil or in the core of a tree, where it smolders quietly without producing visible flames or smoke. 

FireSmart your home, farm and acreage

Your actions today can minimize wildfire damage to your home and property tomorrow.

Flames aren’t the only threat. An estimated 90% of homes damaged or destroyed by wildfire are ignited by embers.  By taking proactive FireSmart measures around your house and yard, you can increase your properties’ resistance to wildfire.

Visit FireSmart Alberta for information on how to get your journey started. 

Contact info

Caroline Charbonneau
780-740-1341
[email protected]