Slave Lake Forest Area - July 17, 2025

Wildfire situation

Late yesterday afternoon, firefighters supported by helicopters with buckets and airtankers responded to a new wildfire in the community of Whitefish Lake First Nation. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets were successful in slowing the spread and night vision-equipped helicopters, heavy equipment and firefighters continued to work on the wildfire overnight.  SWF144 is estimated to be 5 hectares in size and is now classified as being held. Heavy equipment has completed a containment line around the wildfire and firefighters are working to extinguish hot spots.

Two new wildfires have also been reported this morning. SWF145 and SWF146 are small and firefighters are working to extinguish them.

There are 12 active wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, 7 are out of control, 4 are being held and 2 are under control. 

See the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard for up-to-date information on wildfire locations, status, size, statistics and more.

Since January 1, 2025 there have been 146 wildfires reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, burning a total of 372,820 hectares (ha).

Smoky conditions

Smoke from wildfires burning across Canada may result in smoky conditions in the Slave Lake Forest Area. To find smoke origin visit FireSmoke Canada. If you have smoke related health concerns, call Health Link 24/7 by dialing 811 or visit Alberta Health Services.

Red Earth East Complex

The Red Earth East Complex includes 8 active wildfires that are located east of Highway 88. 

Map of the Red Earth East Complex

• Out of control: SWF085, SWF089, SWF092, SWF094 and SWF100.
• Being held: SWF095, SWF099 and SWF115.

With warm and dry conditions expected today, smoke from the interior of the wildfires will be visible to nearby communities and along Highway 88. Although no significant growth has occurred on any of the wildfires, hot and dry weather has led to increased fire activity in some areas.

Infrared scans are being conducted on the wildfires to detect hot spots where fires are burning beneath the surface. Knowing the locations of these hot spots helps focus firefighting efforts. Supported by aircraft and heavy equipment, firefighters are focused on the priority areas and continue to make steady progress extinguishing the hot spots. 

SWF085, which impacted the community of Chipewyan Lake, is 135,971 ha in size and is classified as out of control. The wildfire threat to the community of Chipewyan Lake remains minimal. Firefighters in a helicopter continue to monitor the wildfire and have reported very little fire activity over the past several days. 

SWF089, located approximately 5.5 km east of Peerless Lake, is 12,927 hectares in size and remains classified as out of control. Firefighters in a helicopter are monitoring the wildfire and report that the fire activity remains low.

SWF092, located approximately 7 km southeast of Red Earth Creek and 8.5 km west of Trout Lake, is 79,550 ha in size and classified as out of control. Firefighters are working along the containment lines to extinguish remaining hot spots on the east, south, and west sides of the wildfire, as well as the northwest corner.  Heavy equipment is also deployed to strengthen containment lines and helicopters with buckets are cooling hot spots across the wildfire. Most of the remaining heat is concentrated in the south side of the wildfire, where firefighters and hoist-equipped helicopters are working in this area where access is challenging. 

SWF094, located approximately 31 km northwest of Chipewyan Lake, is 71,529 hectares in size and remains classified as out of control. Helicopters with buckets are working to cool hot spots along the south side of the wildfire. 

SWF100, located approximately 5 km west of Peerless Lake, is 18,377 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters will continue to work along Highway 686 to extinguish remaining hot spots and ensure the travel corridor remains safe. Yesterday afternoon fire activity did pick up on the southwest side of the wildfire. Airtankers were used to cool the hot spots to prevent the wildfire from spreading towards Highway 686. The east side of the wildfire is quiet, and firefighters continue to working on extinguishing hot spots.

SWF095 located approximately 5 km from Peerless Lake and 7 km from Trout Lake, is 1,307 hectares in size and is classified as being held. Firefighters are extinguishing hot spots along the west and south side of the wildfire and  helicopters with buckets are being used when needed. 

Evacuation information 

• An evacuation order remains in effect for Chipewyan Lake.
• A 2-hour evacuation alert remains in effect for the communities of Red Earth Creek, Loon Lake, Trout Lake and Peerless Lake.

For information about the wildfires in the Red Earth East Wildfire Complex, please email [email protected].

Get your free fire permit 

You will need a fire permit for any burning in the Forest Protection Area, except for a campfire, from March 1 to October 31. Fire permits ensure safe burning practices are being followed and allow staff to know where burning is approved.

Fire permits are free and can be requested online. You may also request your fire permit by calling your local forestry office.

• Slave Lake 780-849-7377
• Wabasca 780-891-3860
• High Prairie 780-523-6619

Contact info

Leah Lovequist
780-849-0945
[email protected]