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Very High wildfire danger
Due to hot and dry conditions, the wildfire danger is very high in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Wildfires can start easily in dry vegetation and spread rapidly.
Firefighters urge everyone to use caution and do their part to prevent wildfires while enjoying the outdoors this summer.
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 has been extinguished.
There are 10 active wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, 5 are out of control, 3 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 147 wildfires reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, burning a total of 378,250 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.
Fire activity is expected to increase on the wildfires in the Red Earth East Complex due to the hot, dry, and windy conditions. Helicopters and airtankers will be responding to these active areas. Smoke will be visible to nearby communities and along Highway 88; however, at this time, the wildfires do not pose a threat to communities or highways. Additional firefighters from Chile arrived at the complex yesterday and will be deployed on wildfires this morning.
Firefighters from Chile receiving a safety briefing before they are deployed on the wildfires. July 20, 2025.
SWF085, which impacted the community of Chipewyan Lake, is 137,021 ha in size and is classified as out of control. The wildfire threat to the community of Chipewyan Lake remains minimal. Helicopters with buckets are being used to cool hot spots along the edges of the wildfire and monitor for areas of heat.
SWF089, located approximately 5.5 km east of Peerless Lake, is 12,920 hectares in size and remains classified as out of control. Firefighters with helicopters and buckets are working on the west and north side of the wildfire to extinguish areas of heat.
SWF092, located approximately 7 km southeast of Red Earth Creek and 8.5 km west of Trout Lake, is 82,307 hectares in size and classified as out of control. Airtankers and helicopters are working to slow the spread of the wildfire on the southwest side. Heavy equipment continues to build containment lines and firefighters are extinguishing hot spots across the wildfire.
SWF094, located approximately 31 km northwest of Chipewyan Lake, is 73,046 hectares in size and remains classified as out of control. Helicopters with buckets are extinguishing 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 1,314 hectares in size and is classified as being held. Very little smoke has been observed on the wildfire. Firefighters continue to search for heat and extinguish remaining hot spots working towards a controlled status.
SWF100, located approximately 5 km west of Peerless Lake, is 18,442 hectares in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters and helicopters with buckets are working to extinguish hot spots on the southwest side of the wildfire. This wildfire does not pose a threat to Highway 686.
- 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].
Fire advisory
A fire advisory is in effect for the Slave Lake Forest Area, due to current and expected conditions.
Under this advisory:
- Existing fire permits are valid.
- New fire permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis, for essential burning only.
Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire is prohibited. Visit Alberta Fire Bans for details and to view a map of the fire advisory area.
Get your free fire permit
From March 1 to October 31, a fire permit is required for any burning in the Forest Protection Area, except for a campfire. Fire permits ensure safe burning practices are being followed and allow firefighters 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
Published on July 20, 2025 11:35 am