Skip to content

Notifications

Government mail service may be affected by the Canada Post labour disruption. Learn about how critical government mail will be handled.

Popular topics:

Alberta.ca Account
Wildfire update

Whitecourt Forest Area - May 29, 2025 - 7:00 pm

Report a wildfire: 
310-FIRE (3473)

Alberta Wildfire application:

Very High wildfire danger

The fire danger remains very high. A wildfire will ignite very easily in these conditions and can quickly grow out of control. High temperatures and low humidity will cause intense fire behavior. Avoid all outdoor activities that have the potential to cause a fire from a spark, friction or hot exhaust.

Fire ban

A fire ban is in effect for the northern and central regions of the Forest Protection Area. Under this ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited and existing fire permits are suspended.

Prohibited: 

  • All outdoor wood fires, including wood campfires on public and private land, designated firepits and backyard firepits
  • Barbecue charcoal briquettes
  • Fireworks and exploding targets

Allowed: 

  • Propane fire pits and natural gas-powered appliances
  • Indoor wood fires
  • Open flame oil devices

The fire ban will remain in effect until conditions improve. Visit Alberta Fire Bans for more information and to see the boundaries.

Wildfire situation  

Since January 1, 2025 there have been 23 wildfires in the Whitecourt Forest Area burning a total of 913 hectares (ha). Learn more about active wildfires, their locations and statistics on the interactive map on our Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Westlock County evacuation order

This alert is in effect for everyone in the Hubert Lake Wildfire Provincial Park area, on both sides of the Pembina River. Residents in the area must evacuate. For more information, visit the Alberta Emergency Alert webpage or download the app. You can also visit their webpage for updates from the municipality.

Hubert Lake Wildfire (WWF023)

Alberta Wildfire firefighters, supported by airtankers, helicopters and heavy equipment are responding to wildfire WWF023. The wildfire is located 12 km west of Fawcett, 19 km north of the community of Vega, in the Hubert Lake Wildland Provincial Park. The wildfire is currently classified as out of control and is approximately 900 ha in size.

Airtankers assisted firefighters and heavy equipment today building containment lines. Due to the hot, dry and windy conditions the fire was very active this afternoon and there was an increase in growth, particularly on the southeast side of the fire. The extreme fire behaviour was challenging for Alberta Wildfire resources. A wind shift is expected tonight which could move the fire further towards the east.

Tonight, heavy equipment will continue building containment lines. Airtankers are available if requested but are currently actioning other wildfires in the province. 

Overnight, we anticipate having moderate relative humidity which could help decrease fire behaviour until tomorrow. The forecast tomorrow calls for 22C and 25% relative humidity. Winds from the northwest 15 gusting to 30 km/hr are expected which could move the wildfire towards the southeast. Winds will then shift from the northwest to the southwest in the afternoon at 15 gusting to 30 km/hr which could move the wildfire towards the northwest. 

Dozer and a helicopter is in front of a large column of smoke. Heavy equipment are working on WWF023 (May 29, 2025) 

Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076)

The Edith Lake wildfire was detected on May 25 and is located north of Swan Hills. For more information on this wildfire, visit the Slave Lake Forest Area wildfire update. An evacuation order remains in effect for the town of Swan Hills. For information on the evacuation order, visit Alberta Emergency Alert.

Smoky conditions

Smoke may be visible and settling over our communities. Visit firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from. If you have smoke-related health concerns, call 811 or visit the Alberta Health website. 

Report a wildfire

The Whitecourt Forest Area has firefighters and equipment ready to respond to the increase in fire danger and thunderstorms in the forecast. Wildfires may ignite from lighting and spread to trees. Many of our wildfires are detected by lookout observers and members of the public and industry.

Call 310-FIRE if you see smoke or flames and suspect it's a wildfire. Learn more about how to report a wildfire.

Contact info

Caroline Charbonneau
780-740-1341
[email protected]

Jacquie Dewar
780-268-5175
[email protected]

Published on May 29, 2025 7:09 pm