Slave Lake Forest Area - June 03, 2025

Wildfire situation

Firefighters, supported by helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment continue to fight the multiple wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

Since January 1, 2025, there have been 109 wildfires reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 300,445.45 hectares.

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

Evacuation

An evacuation order remains in effect for the communities of Swan Hills, Chipewyan Lake, Red Earth Creek, Loon River First Nation, Trout Lake and Peerless Lake. A 4 hour evacuation notice is in effect for the community of Marten Beach. Residents are advised to monitor the Alberta Emergency Alert website for detailed information and updates. 

Smoky conditions

Due to the ongoing wildfire activity, smoky conditions are expected to persist across the 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.

Highway closures

When traveling in areas where wildfires are close to highways, please slow down and follow all posted signs. For your safety and the safety of our firefighters, road closures or reduced speed limits may be in place. For the most up-to-date information on road conditions, visit 511 Alberta.

 

Red Earth East Complex (SWF085, SWF089,SWF091, SWF092,SWF094,SWF095, SWF099,SWF100, SWF101, SWF108)

The Red Earth East Complex includes 10 wildfires located east of Highway 88. An incident management team is coordinating the firefighting efforts. Today firefighters from Washington arrived to help fight the wildfires. 

Wildfire SWF085 showed reduced fire behavior again today. SWF085 is classified as burning out of control and is 132,172 hectares.

The Red Earth East Complex saw an increase in fire behaviour today, primarily on the western side of the complex. Wildfire SWF092 experienced the most active fire behaviour on its southern side. An Oregon unit crew has begun work on SWF092, and additional heavy equipment operators are expected to arrive soon to begin operations on the wildfire.

Wildfire SWF092 is located approximately 7.5 km southeast of Red Earth Creek and is approximately 13 km west of Trout Lake. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 43,604 hectares in size.

Wildfire SWF095 is located east of the Peerless Lake community. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 888.5 hectares in size.

Wildfire SWF100 is located along Highway 686 approximately 20 km west of Peerless Lake. The wildfire is classified as burning out of control and is 2116 hectares. Heavy equipment moved from SWF100 to SWF095 today to assist with Wildland Urban Interface in setting up guard around fire SWF095. Helicopters bucketing and aircraft continued to work on suppressing SWF100. 

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. 

File Map of the Red Earth East Complex
 

Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076)

The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076) is located approximately 8 km north of Swan Hills. It remains classified as out of control and is estimated at 17,148 hectares in size.

There was no growth on the wildfire yesterday. Cooler temperatures and recent rain have helped firefighting efforts. However, warmer weather is expected later this week. As conditions dry out again, the risk of wildfire activity will increase.

Throughout the day, firefighters, supported by heavy equipment and helicopters, continue to focus on priority areas to help limit the wildfire’s spread. Overnight, crews remain focused on the same objectives, working with heavy equipment to build containment lines along the Highway 33 corridor.

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

Swan Hills Evacuation

The evacuation order for the Town of Swan Hills remains in effect. For more information, visit Alberta Emergency Alert or download the app. Visit the Town of Swan Hills' website for additional information for residents.

Highway 33 

Highway 33 is open with reduced speed limits to protect crews working in the area. Conditions are being monitored closely, as conditions can change quickly. For the latest updates, visit 511 Alberta.

Alberta Parks Closure

Edith Lake and Chrystina Lake Provincial Recreation Areas are closed due to their proximity to the wildfire. For details, visit Alberta Parks closures.

More information

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

Wildfire along Highway 88

Wildfire SWF088 remains located approximately 24 km north of Marten Beach. Due to recent rain, the fire behaviour continues to be reduced to smouldering with no growth on the wildfire. Heavy equipment continued to build containment lines and firefighters continued to patrol and extinguish ground fires. The wildfire is classified as out of control and is 10,448 hectares. File Map of SWF088 (1.12 MB)

Firefighting efforts on wildfires SWF078, SWF088 and SWF105 is being coordinated by the Slave Lake Fire Centre. For information on the these wildfires, contact Leah Lovequist at 780-849-0945 or email [email protected]