Slave Lake Forest Area - June 02, 2025 - 9:07 pm

Wildfire situation

Firefighters, supported by helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment continue to fight the multiple wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area. There was one new wildfire today located east of Peerless Lake. Helicopters with buckets doused the flames. SWF108 is 0.5 hectares.

Since January 1, 2025, there have been 108 wildfires reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 297,358.53 hectares.

To see wildfires on a map, download the AB Wildfire Status app or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Smoky conditions

Smoky conditions may persist due to the ongoing wildfire activity in the Slave Lake Forest Area. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link.

Red Earth East Complex

The Red Earth East Complex includes 10 wildfires located east of highway 88. An Incident Management Team has been established and is coordinating the firefighting efforts. Today firefighters from Oregon arrived to help fight the wildfires. 

Wildfire SWF085 which impacted the community of Chipewyan Lake, has been showing reduced wildfire behavior over the past two days due to the recent rain.  An Incident Management Team has been requested for the wildfires around the Chipewyan Lakes community. SWF085 is classified as burning out of control and is 132,167 hectares.

Today, with strong gusty northwest winds the wildfire behavior did increase on the east/southeast sides of wildfires SWF092, SWF095 and SWF100. Airtankers and helicopters worked on the active areas of the wildfires. Ash and smoke was carried into the Wabasca area from the wildfires in the Red Earth Creek Area. The active parts of the wildfires are located over 90 kilometres away from Wabasca.

Wildfire SWF092 remains approximately 8 kilometres southeast of Red Earth Creek and is approximately 15 kilometres west of Trout Lake. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 39,744 hectares in size. Airtankers and helicopters with buckets worked to slow the spread of this wildfire.

Airtankers working on SWF095 June 2, 2025.

Wildfire SWF095 is located east of the Peerless Lake community. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 697 hectares in size. Airtankers worked to slow the spread of this wildfire.

Wildfire SWF100 is located along Highway 686 approximately 24 kilometres west of Peerless Lake. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 700 hectares. Airtankers worked to slow the spread of this wildfire.

An evacuation order remains in effect for the communities of Chipewyan Lake, Red Earth Creek, Loon River First Nation, Trout Lake and Peerless Lake. Residents are advised to monitor the Alberta Emergency Alert website for detailed information and updates. 

Wildfire near Whitefish River Utikoomak Lake 155A

Wildfire SWF078 is located north of Utikoomak Lake 155A and it is being held. Firefighters continued to work on extinguishing hotspots on the wildfire. Today, the evacuation notice of two hours was lifted.

Wildfire near Highway 88

SWF088 remains located approximately 24 kilometers north of Marten Beach. The wildfire did not experience any growth today. Heavy equipment continued to build containment lines supported by helicopters bucketing. Firefighters worked to extinguish hotspots to strengthen the containment lines. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 10,448 hectares in size. 

A 4 hour evacuation notice in effect for the community of Marten Beach. Residents are advised to monitor the Alberta Emergency Alert website for detailed information and updates. 

Road closures

Multiple highways in the Slave Lake Forest Area remain closed. For the most up-to-date information on road closures, visit 511 Alberta.
 

Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076)

The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076) is located approximately 8 kilometres north of Swan Hills. It remains classified as out of control and is estimated at 17,208 hectares in size. No new growth has been observed, the updated size is based on improved mapping and assessment.

Continued precipitation and cooler temperatures have supported firefighting efforts. Warmer weather is forecast for this week, and much of the recent moisture is expected to evaporate, resulting in a return to dry conditions.

Firefighters, supported by heavy equipment and helicopters, continue to focus on priority areas and hot spots to help limit the wildfire’s spread. Good progress was made along the south perimeter yesterday, and efforts will continue today along the west and north sides of the wildfire. Overnight, crews worked alongside heavy equipment to action hot spots and establish containment lines along the Highway 33 corridor.

Structural protection crews remain staged in the community of Swan Hills.

Conditions are expected to remain stable throughout the day. Unless there are significant changes, the next update will be provided on June 3.

June 2 morning briefing for SCX002, Alberta Wildfire crews were joined by supporting firefighters from the Yukon and the U.S. states of Oregon and Idaho

Swan Hills evacuation

While the closest point from the wildfire to the community of Swan Hills has not changed at this time. Conditions on the wildfire are actively changing and the evacuation order remains in place. For the latest information, visit Alberta Emergency Alert.

Highway 33 update

Highway 33 has reopened to traffic as the risk in the area is currently reduced. Speed limits have been reduced to protect crews working along the highway. For the most current updates, visit 511 Alberta.

Although the highway is open, the community remains under evacuation due to ongoing wildfire concerns. The situation is dynamic and continues to be reviewed daily, as conditions can change quickly.

Alberta Parks closure

Due to proximity to the wildfire, Edith Lake Provincial Recreation Area (PRA) and Chrystina Lake PRA are closed. For more information on this closure, see Alberta Parks closures. 

More information

The Edith Lake Wildfire is part of the Swan Complex (SCX002), which also includes the Hubert Lake Wildfire (WWF023). The Hubert Lake Wildfire is in the Whitecourt Lake Forest area. For more information, see the Whitecourt Forest Area Wildfire Update. For more information regarding the Swan Complex, contact Colby Lachance at (780) 286-4332 or [email protected]. 

 

Contact info

Leah Lovequist
780-849-0945
[email protected]