Slave Lake Forest Area - June 21, 2025

Wildfire situation 

With recent and expected lightning, fire lookout observers are watching for smoke and firefighters supported by helicopters and airtankers are ready to respond to any new wildfires that may start.

Firefighters responded to one new wildfire yesterday, located south of Utikuma Lake. The small lightning caused wildfire was quickly contained and extinguished.

There are currently 15 active wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area.

To view wildfires on a map visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.  

Since January 1, 2025, there have been 119 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 384,019 hectares (ha).

Red Earth East Complex  

The Red Earth East Complex includes 10 wildfires that are located east of Highway 88: SWF085, SWF089, SWF091, SWF092, SWF094, SWF095, SWF099, SWF100, SWF110 and SWF115. 

With the return of warm, dry, and windy conditions increased fire activity is expected along the edges and within the interior of the wildfires. Firefighters supported by helicopters will respond to these hot spots. Heavy equipment continues to make good progress on building containment lines in key locations to protect communities. 

SWF085, which impacted the community of Chipewyan Lake, is 137,878 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters continue to monitor the wildfire from helicopters and will be working on any areas that show increased fire activity. There has been no recent growth.

SWF089 is located approximately 5.5 km east of Peerless Lakes. It is 12,926 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Heavy equipment continues to build an additional containment line between the wildfire and the community of Peerless Lake and firefighters are working along the containment line to extinguish hot spots.

SWF092 located approximately 7 km southeast of Red Earth Creek and 8.5 km west of Trout Lake is 77,403 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Yesterday the weather conditions allowed firefighters to use aerial ignition as a firefighting tool to clean up and secure the southwest side of the wildfire.

SWF095 located approximately 2 km from Peerless Lake and 7 km from Trout Lake is 1,308 ha in size and is classified as out of control. The wildfire remains within containment lines, which have been tied into the lakes. Firefighters are extinguishing hot spots on the interior and along containment lines on the south side of the wildfire between Peerless Lake and Graham Lake. 

SWF100 located approximately 5 km west of Peerless Lake is 17,203 ha in size and is classified as out of control.  Firefighters observed increased fire activity recently and continue to extinguish hot spots along Highway 686 and along the southern edge. 

Wildland urban interface (WUI) crews have installed sprinkler systems in the communities of Loon Lake, Red Earth Creek, Trout Lake and Peerless Lake. A WUI crew is trained in both wildland and urban firefighting and specializes in this work. The sprinkler systems they install help protect buildings by a keeping the surrounding areas damp, reducing the risk of ignition.

The wildfires included in this complex that are not detailed above are not currently considered a threat to any communities.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for the following communities: 

• Chipewyan Lake
• Red Earth Creek
• Loon River First Nation
• Trout Lake and Peerless Lake

For information about the wildfires in the Red Earth East Wildfire Complex, please email [email protected]

Blue Sky and Edith Lake wildfires (SWF088 and SWF076)

The Blue Sky Wildfire (SWF088) located 22 km north of Marten Beach is 13,684 hectares in size and is classified as out of control.

The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076) located approximately 8 km north of Swan Hills is 16,852 hectares in size and is classified as being held.

An infrared scan was conducted on both wildfires. Very few hot spots were detected on SWF076, indicating minimal fire activity. On SWF088, multiple hot spots were detected on the northwest, east, and south sides. Firefighters, supported by heavy equipment and helicopters are actively working to extinguish the identified hot spots. 

For more information these wildfires, contact Sharma Chavez at 505-331-7421 or [email protected] 

Fire permits are required

From now until October 31, fire permits are required for any burning, except campfires, in the Forest Protection Area of Alberta. Fire permits are free and are now available online. Visit Get a fire permit for information on how to make a request online.

Fire permits are also still available, by request, from your local Forestry Office.

• Wabasca 780-891-3860
• Slave Lake 780-849-7377
• High Prairie 780-523-6619

Choose a safe campfire site

When visiting campgrounds or recreational areas, use the designated stoves, fire rings or fire pits. These are designed to keep fires from spreading and are the best choice for a safe campfire. When outside of a campground, use sites that are clear of dry grass and vegetation. Clear the site down to bare mineral soil, place rocks in a ring, keep it sheltered from wind and always have water nearby to extinguish your campfire. 

Never leave a campfire unattended. When you're done, always soak it, stir it and soak it again until the ashes are cool to the touch.  

When riding your off-highway vehicle

Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) have exhaust systems that get hotter than 200°C. At these temperatures, built-up materials (such as grass, muskeg, moss, or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite. These can fall to the ground as you are riding, starting a wildfire. 

To help prevent wildfires when riding your OHV, stop frequently to remove any build- up of debris on your machine's muffler and always carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher. 

Contact info

Leah Lovequist
780-849-0945
[email protected]