Slave Lake Forest Area - June 26, 2025

With current 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.

In the past 24 hours, there have been 5 new wildfires.  

Yesterday, firefighters supported by helicopters and airtankers responded to a new wildfire located approximately 1.5 km west of Bigstone Cree Nation on the north end of North Wabasca Lake. Helicopters with buckets and airtankers were successful in slowing the spread. SWF122 is 2 hectares in size and is classified as being held. Today, firefighters will helicopters are working on extinguishing this wildfire.

Currently there are 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 124 wildfires in the Slave Lake Forest Area, resulting in a total burned area of 387,536 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. 

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning passed through the Red Earth East Complex yesterday, prompting an immediate response from firefighters. Lightning sparked a new wildfire located west of SWF092 and south of Red Earth Creek. Firefighters supported by helicopters with buckets were deployed and the 0.1 hectare wildfire was quickly contained and extinguished. Firefighters continue to fight the wildfires in the Red Earth East Complex and are ready to respond to any new wildfire starts.

A 2-hour evacuation alert is in effect for the residents of Red Earth Creek and Loon Lake communities. For detailed information please visit Alberta Emergency Alert.

Although the overall wildfire threat to these communities has decreased, some hazards remain. Firefighters ask residents to please avoid all closed roads and active firefighting areas. Smoldering ground fires may still be visible, but they pose minimal threat and firefighters are actively extinguishing them.

Residents are also asked not to fly drones near the wildfires. Doing so is extremely dangerous because it forces firefighting aircraft to stop their operations, delaying critical efforts and putting firefighters and communities at risk.  Flying a drone near a wildfire is illegal in Alberta and can lead to fines of up to $15,000. Please help keep our skies clear and support our firefighters by keeping all drones away from wildfire areas

Evacuation orders remain in effect for the following communities:

• Chipewyan Lake
• Trout Lake and Peerless Lake

SWF085 which impacted the community of Chipewyan Lake, is 138,058 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Recent rain and cooler conditions have reduced fire activity. Firefighters will continue to monitor the wildfire from a helicopter. 

SWF089 is located approximately 5.5 km east of Peerless Lakes. It is 12,968 ha in size and is classified as out of control. An excursion occurred yesterday on the southwest side of the fire. Additional firefighters were brought in along with helicopters with buckets to cool down areas of fire activity. Today, firefighters supported by heavy equipment continue to secure and monitor the small excursion in addition to building containment lines.

Wildland firefighters working on northwest side of SWF092. June 26, 2025

SWF092, located approximately 7 km southeast of Red Earth Creek and 8.5 km west of Trout Lake, is 78,194 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots along the northwest containment lines closest to the communities of Red Earth Creek and Loon Lake. Last night an infrared drone scan was conducted along the east side of the wildfire to detect any hot spots.  Firefighters will use the scan results to develop a plan for building containment lines between the wildfire and the community of Trout Lake.

SWF095, located approximately 5 km from Peerless Lake and 7 km from Trout Lake, is 1,331 ha in size and is classified as out of control. The wildfire remains within containment lines, which have been tied into the lakes. Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) crews test pumps and sprinkler set-ups each day in the communities of Peerless Lake and Trout Lake. Although conditions are dry and windy, firefighters report that little smoke is visible from the wildfire.

SWF100, located approximately 5 km west of Peerless Lake, is 17,308 ha in size and is classified as out of control. An excursion occurred along highway 686 in an area of unburned fuels between the wildfire and the road. Firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots and use helicopters to monitor for increased fire activity. The containment line between the wildfire and the community of Trout Lake will be completed by the end of today. Heavy equipment also continues to build containment line on the southwest side of the wildfire. 

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. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment this wildfire is being held.

Firefighters, supported by heavy equipment and helicopters, continue to extinguish hot spots identified by the infrared scan. 

The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076) located approximately 8 km north of Swan Hills is 16,852 hectares in size and is classified as under control. Firefighters continue to patrol for hot spots with the interior of the wildfire and heavy equipment continues to reclaim containment lines.

For more information these wildfires, contact Leah Lovequist at 780-849-0945.

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 forest area office.

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

Celebrating with fireworks this long weekend

The use of fireworks within the Forest Protection Area (FPA) is prohibited without written permission from a Forest Officer. Written permission is required year-round. To obtain written permission to shoot, discharge, detonate or ignite fireworks within the FPA call your local forest area office.

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]