The wildfire danger is now high in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Dry grass and vegetation can ignite easily and spread quickly. Be cautious when spending time outdoors and avoid activities that could potentially spark a wildfire.
Wildfire situation
Since January 1, 2026, the Slave Lake Forest Area has responded to 54 wildfires and approximately 38 hectares (ha) have burned.
SWF054 was detected on July 17 and is classified as being held at 2 ha in size. It is located approximately 19 km from Slave Lake. Crews are responding, and at this time, there is no threat to nearby communities.
See the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard for up-to-date information on wildfire locations, status, size, and statistics. By adjusting settings and layers on the dashboard, you can also view forest area boundaries, active fire advisories, restrictions and bans, wildfire danger ratings and much more.
Do your part. Be FireSmart.
Did you know that most homes that are damaged or destroyed by wildland fire are not impacted by the advancing wall of flame but by ignition from flying sparks and embers? This fire season, take simple steps that reduce the risk to your home.
- A mowed lawn is a fire-resistant lawn. Grasses shorter than 10 centimetres are less likely to burn intensely and may slow the spread of fire.
- Thinning and pruning trees can slow down wildland fire spread.
- Remove low-hanging branches up to two metres from the ground.
- Avoid using bark or pine needle mulch within 10 metres of your home, as they are highly combustible. Gravel mulch and decorative crushed rock mulch significantly reduce the spread of wildland fire.
To learn more, take the free one-hour FireSmart 101 course online.
Parks Day
Join Alberta Forestry at Marten River Campground and Winagami Lake from 1 to 3 p.m. on July 18 to learn about wildfire prevention, wildfire operations and FireSmart recommendations.
Fire permits are required
From March 1 to October 31, a fire permit is required for all burning activities in the Forest Protection Area (FPA), excluding campfires. The use of fireworks and exploding targets within the FPA is prohibited year-round without a permit. Permits are free and can be requested online or by calling a Slave Lake Forest Area office at:
- Slave Lake 780-849-7377
- Wabasca 780-891-3860
High Prairie 780-523-6619
Published on July 17, 2026 1:12 pm