Fort McMurray Forest Area - June 08, 2025

Wildfire situation

There are currently 5 active wildfires burning in the forest area, with 3 are classified as out of control, 1 is classified as being held, and 1 is classified as under control..

Tulip Lake Wildfire (MWF026) 

This wildfire is currently classified as out of control and is an estimated 14,152 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.  A US Incident Management Team, provided through the Northwest Compact, is on their way to assist with operations.

The fire has shown decreased activity over the weekend due to significant rain in the area, cooler temperatures, and lighter winds.  This has allowed crews to gain access to gather more detailed information on the fire and update mapping to get a more accurate size of the fire.  Light winds are expected to continue today from the south and switch to southeast winds this evening.

There has been minimal fire growth as crews aim to take advantage of these favorable conditions today with air and ground support to further extend and secure containment lines continue on the west and north sides of the fire.  Suppression operations will include airtankers, helicopters conducting water drops, ignition operations, and ground crews to prevent the growth of the fire towards the communities.  

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, have installed over 10 km of high-volume sprinkler systems to protect the communities.  As crews monitor and maintain these systems, pressure tests of the sprinkler systems will be occurring.  For your safety we kindly ask the public to please give crews the space they need to work and stay away from these sprinkler lines and equipment.  For more information on notices for the Town of Fort Smith, or related news and road closures, please visit Fort Smith webpage.

Sprinkler system installed at the view point of the rapids near Fort Smith as a precaution for the Tulip Lake wildfire, June 7, 2025.

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. There has been some growth on the northeast side of the fire, but recent rain has had a positive impact on fire behaviour.  Alberta wildfire crews continue to maintain structure 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 thanks to recent rains allowing firefighters to make progress on the east side to reinforce 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 being held and estimated as approximately 7 ha in size.  It is burning approximately 65 km west of Fort McMurray, near the Athabasca River.  Alberta wildfire crews continue to make significant progress on this fire with air support 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,  download the Alberta Wildfire Status app, or visit the wildfire status page for information and wildfire definitions used in Alberta.            

Since January 1, 2025 there have been 27 wildfires in the Fort McMurray Forest Area burning approximately 74,406 ha. 

Smoke

Wildfires across the province have been creating smoky conditions across 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]