Slave Lake Forest Area - July 18, 2025

Wildfire situation

With recent and expected lightning, fire lookout observers are watching for smoke and firefighters supported by helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to respond to any new wildfire starts.

SWF144 which occurred on the afternoon of July 16 in the Whitefish First Nation, is currently classified as being held. The wildfire is approximately 5 hectares in size. Firefighters supported by a helicopter are working to extinguish hot spots on the wildfire.

There are 11 active wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, 5 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 372,520 hectares (ha).

Smoky conditions

Smoke from wildfires burning across Canada has drifted into the Slave Lake Forest Area. To see where the smoke is coming from 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 wildfires that are located east of Highway 88. 

Map of the Red Earth East Complex

• 5 are out of control: SWF085, SWF089, SWF092, SWF094 and SWF100.
• 3 are 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. The heavy smoke on the west side of the complex has provided some relief by blocking the sun throughout the day, limiting fire activity, but also delaying aircraft deployment early in the morning. No significant growth has occurred on any of the wildfires in the Red Earth East Complex.

Infrared scanning to detect hot spots where fires are burning beneath the surface on the east side of the complex has now been completed. Knowing the locations of these hot spots helps focus firefighting efforts. Supported by aircraft and heavy equipment, firefighters continue making steady progress in priority areas.

SWF085, which impacted the community of Chipewyan Lake, is 136,090 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.

SWF089, located approximately 5.5 km east of Peerless Lake, is 12,927 hectares in size and remains classified as out of control. Firefighters are working on the west and north side of the wildfire to extinguish areas of heat. Helicopters with buckets are being used to cool hot spots and heavy equipment is working to reinforce containment lines today. 

SWF092, located approximately 7 km southeast of Red Earth Creek and 8.5 km west of Trout Lake, is 80,037 hectares in size and classified as out of control. Firefighters have been working on the north, northwest corner, southwest corner, east, and south sides of the wildfire to extinguish remaining hot spots. Heavy equipment is deployed to assist firefighters and strengthen containment lines. Helicopters with buckets are cooling hot spots across the wildfire. A night vision helicopter was used overnight to target the northwest corner of the wildfire and cool areas of heat. Firefighters will continue working in the same areas today, with a focus on the northwest, southwest, and east sides of the wildfire.

SWF094, located approximately 31 km northwest of Chipewyan Lake, is 71,530 hectares in size and remains classified as out of control. Helicopters with buckets will be used today to extinguish hot spots located on the west side of the wildfire.

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 continue to search for heat and extinguish remaining hot spots. Very little smoke has been observed.

SWF100, located approximately 5 km west of Peerless Lake, is 18,426 hectares in size and is classified as out of control. Fire activity increased on the southwest side of the wildfire yesterday. Firefighters and helicopters with buckets responded and ensured the wildfire did not pose a threat to Highway 686.

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].