High Level Forest Area - May 29, 2025 - 8:45 pm

Wildfire situation

HWF036 east of Rainbow Lake

Firefighters, helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are continuing to respond to HWF036, which was detected this afternoon, approximately 31 km east of the Town of Rainbow Lake. This wildfire has increased significantly in size and is now estimated to cover an area of more than 1,700 hectares (ha). Given its proximity to Chateh, residents and others are evacuating the community.

Alberta Wildfire is working closely with local police and emergency management personnel to protect people, communities and industry assets in the area. Highway 58 is currently closed to non-emergency-related traffic — please check 511 for updates. 

Fire crews will continue their efforts overnight. The cause of this wildfire is under investigation.

An aerial view of HWF036, east of Rainbow Lake and south of Chateh, which was captured the evening of May 29.

Two wildfires near communities now extinguished

HWF034, northeast of Fort Vermilion, and HWF031, south of Tall Cree First Nation, are both now extinguished. 

Smoke from wildfire on the Alberta-B.C. border 

Residents and others on the western side of the HLFA may see smoke from a wildfire (HBZ001) currently burning along the provincial border. The HLFA Fire Centre is in regular contact with its B.C. counterpart to monitor this wildfire. The Government of Canada also monitors smoke conditions across the country.

HWF017 at Fox Lake 

Alberta Wildfire supported the Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) Fire Department with a bucketing helicopter and airtankers on a previous wildfire (HWF017) at the local landfill. It is under control and remains an estimated 5 ha in size. The local fire department continues its work to fully suppress and extinguish this fire. This wildfire poses no threat to communities at this time.

In 2025, there have been 36 wildfires in the HLFA to date, burning more than 1,800 ha. 

To view wildfires on a map and for live updates, download the Alberta Wildfire App or visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard. Learn more about wildfire status definitions used in Alberta.

Lightning-caused wildfires

Lightning-caused wildfires are a common natural occurrence in Alberta, accounting for approximately 30% of the wildfires that occur each year. These wildfires often start in remote areas when lightning strikes dry vegetation, such as grass and trees, which can facilitate a quick start. Since these starts are often located far from roads or communities, they can easily go unnoticed. 

Alberta Wildfire closely monitors lightning activity using resources such as aerial surveillance and fire lookout observers to detect and respond to these wildfires as quickly as possible. Many fire detections are also reported by the public.

As an example, several of the very recent wildfires starts detected in the Slave Lake Forest Area have been determined to have been caused by lightning.

All forest areas have firefighters and equipment ready to respond. Please call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flames and suspect it's a wildfire. Learn more about how to report a wildfire.

Community outreach

The HLFA participates in many community events throughout the year. Our staff also reaches out to schools and other organizations in the area, providing interactive presentations for all ages. We conducted our last scheduled school presentations on May 27, and our outreach efforts will now focus on events with communities and local organizations through the late spring and summer months.

HLFA staff again supported the Northern Lights Forest Education Society (NLFES) on May 21, conducting a tour of the HLFA Fire Centre, Footner Fire Base, Airtanker Base and helicopter launch-and-landing areas. Students were able to interact with dispatchers, forest officers, pilots and ground crews while discussing wildfire prevention and operations. 

 

Contact info

Mark Giles
780-285-4490
[email protected]