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Alberta.ca Account
Wildfire update

Fort McMurray Forest Area - June 06, 2025

Report a wildfire: 
310-FIRE (3473)

Alberta Wildfire application:

Extreme wildfire danger

The wildfire danger is extreme in the Fort Smith area of the Fort McMurray Forest Area due to hot, dry, and windy conditions.  A wildfire can ignite very easily in these conditions and can quickly grow out of control.

The wildfire danger is very high in the Fort Chipewyan area, and the wildfire danger remains high in the Fort McMurray area.  Use caution when spending time outdoors and avoid activities that could spark a new fire. 

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

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. 

The fire continues to show increased activity on the north and west sides.  Winds today are expected to be from the west, and a chance of rain is forecasted for today.  

Wildfire crews continued to secure containment lines into the evening on the west and north side of the fire with the support of airtankers laying retardant, helicopters bucketing water, and ignition operations.  These efforts have shown success to allow grounds crews to action key areas today to further secure containment lines to prevent growth towards the community.  Aerial ignition teams, working alongside helicopters, will continue efforts today to tie into wetlands and existing features to further extend containment lines.  

Structure protection teams have 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.  

As a precaution, crews with the assistance of Fort Smith Protective Services, are completing the installation and testing of high volume sprinkler systems in Fort Fitzgerald, Halfway, Border Town, and Fort Smith.  Over 5 km of sprinkler line with cannons have been installed to date and efforts to install more continue today.

As illustrated in the photo below, crews are installing high-volume sprinkler systems in Fort Fitzgerald, Halfway, Border Town, and Fort Smith.  These systems are under very high pressure.  For your safety we ask the public to please stay away from these lines, and crews, as they work to install the systems to protect the community.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Photo of a 600 HP Delivery Pump taken at Fort Fitzgerald taken on June 4, 2025 Tulip Lake wildfire with a 600-horsepower pump used for sprinkler systems, installed on the south shore of the Slave River in Fort Fitzgerald on June 4, 2025.  Photo courtesy of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

MWF025 

MWF025 is classified as out of control and is an estimated 32,759 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.  

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 as 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.

MWF027

This wildfire was detected on June 5 and is classified as out of control and is an estimated 7 ha in size.  It is burning approximately 65 km west of Fort McMurray, near the Athabasca River.  Alberta wildfire crews actioned the fire into the evening with the support of airtankers and helicopters, bucketing water, and these efforts will continue throughout today.  This fire poses no risks to the community at this time.  

MWF023 

This wildfire is 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, 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 73,437 ha. 

Fire ban

A fire ban remains in effect for the entire Fort McMurray Forest Area. Under this ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited, and existing fire permits are suspended.

Prohibited: 

  • All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public and private land, designated firepits and backyard firepits
  • Barbecue charcoal briquettes
  • Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed: 

  • Propane fire pits and natural gas-powered appliances
  • Indoor wood fires
  • Open flame oil devices 

The fire ban will remain in place until conditions improve. 

See the fire ban fact sheet for more information.

Visit Alberta Fire Bans for more information and to see the boundaries of the fire restriction.

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-high vehicle safety.      

Contact info

Stephen Fudge
587-919-5528
[email protected]

Published on June 6, 2025 2:09 pm