Fort McMurray Forest Area - June 04, 2025

Wildfire situation

There are currently 5 active wildfires burning in the forest area, with 4 classified as out of control and 1 classified as being held.

Tulip Lake Wildfire (MWF026) 

This wildfire is currently classified as out of control and is an estimated 13,183 hectares (ha) in size. It is burning 15 km northeast of Fort Fitzgerald and 28 km east of Fort Smith. 

The fire has shown increased activity in the evening and overnight due to shifting winds. Winds today are expected to be coming from the south.

Firefighters continue to focus suppression efforts on the west side of the fire, with the support of airtankers laying retardant and helicopters bucketing water, to prevent growth towards the community. Crews have also been creating landing pads for helicopters to improve access on the western side of the fire.  

A structure protection team has placed sprinkler systems on all known buildings east of the Slave River on the Alberta side. Northwest Territories has completed structure protection on their side as well.  Crews, with the assistance of Fort Smith Protective Services, continue to deploy high volume sprinkler systems in Fort Fitzgerald, Halfway, Border Town, and Fort Smith as a precautionary measure. 

A unified command team is responsible for managing this wildfire. It has been established in collaboration with the Northwest Territories and includes representation from the Tthebatthı Dënesųłiné First Nation. 

See a map of Tulip Lake wildfire, June 4, 2025.

MWF025 

This wildfire is classified as out of control and is an estimated 12,000 ha in size. The wildfire is burning approximately 48 km north of Fort Chipewyan, near Barrow Lake. Structure protection teams will continue to maintain protection that has been deployed to cabins in the area. This fire poses no risks to the community at this time.  

MWF024 

This wildfire is classified as out of control and is an estimated 6,332 ha in size. The wildfire is burning approximately 70 km north of Fort Chipewyan, near Darwin Lake.  Structure protection teams will continue to maintain sprinkler systems that have been deployed to cabins in the area. This fire poses no risks to the community at this time.  

MWF016 

This wildfire is classified as out of control and is an estimated 21,000 ha in size. This wildfire is burning approximately 85 km west of Fort McMurray. There has been limited growth on this fire and firefighters continue to work on suppressing it, focusing on the east side to establish and maintain containment lines. This fire poses no risks to the community at this time.

MWF023 

This wildfire is now classified as being held and is an estimated 150 ha in size. The wildfire is burning approximately 75 km northwest of Fort McMurray. Firefighters have made significant progress on the wildfire today, with support from heavy equipment, helicopters, and ground crews. This fire poses no risks to the community at this time.

To view all active wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest area, visit the wildfire status dashboard.    

Since January 1, 2025 there have been 26 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area burning a total 52,671 ha. 

Smoke

Wildfires across the province have been creating smoky conditions resulting in an air quality advisory for the Fort McMurray Forest Area.  Always use caution when conditions are smoky and limit your time outside if possible.

• Visit FireSmoke Canada to see where the smoke is coming from.
• Smoky conditions can affect your health. Go to wildfire smoke and your health for more information.
• Call Health Link at 811 if you are having respiratory problems due to smoke.

Wildfire pledge

Join Mayor Sandy Bowman and Director of Emergency Management Cindy Miller in signing the wildfire pledge today!

Take the pledge, reduce wildfires, and be entered to win an educational helicopter flight!

Sign the pledge:

• I will always use fire responsibly and safely in the Fort McMurray Forest Area.
• I will fully extinguish my campfire by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again.
• I will stop and check my off-highway vehicle regularly for built-up debris while riding off-road.
• I will report any smoke I see in the forested areas to 310-FIRE.
• I will be an ambassador for fire safety when enjoying Alberta’s forested areas with friends and family.

Everyone plays a role in reducing the risk of wildfires. 

Please sign the pledge here by filling in the form at the bottom. One entry per person.

Off-highway vehicle safety

An off-highway vehicle (OHV) can cause a wildfire. You can reduce the risk by following these simple steps:

• Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
• After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
• Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
• Wash your OHV and keep it clean. Do not wash in streams and creeks.
• Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
• Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.

For more information, see Off-highway vehicle safety.        

Contact info

Stephen Fudge
587-919-5528
[email protected]