Slave Lake Forest Area - July 09, 2025
The wildfire danger in the Slave Lake Forest Area is moderate. Warm weather and gusty winds are expected over the next several days. While recent rain brought some relief, the moisture will evaporate quickly under sunny and windy conditions.
Firefighters urge everyone to do their part to prevent wildfires while enjoying the outdoors this summer. Never leave your campfire unattended and always make sure your campfire is extinguished before leaving your site.
Wildfire situation
Late yesterday afternoon, a fire lookout observer spotted a wildfire located approximately 23 km south of Wabasca. Firefighters in a helicopter responded and found a holdover lightning wildfire. The wildfire was showing very little fire activity. Today, firefighters are working to extinguish this new wildfire. SWF139 is 4.5 hectares(ha) in size and is under control.
With the recent and expected lightning, new wildfires may occur. Fire lookout observers are watching for smoke and firefighters supported by helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment are ready to respond.
Since January 1, 2025 there have been 139 wildfires reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area, burning a total of 373,158 hectares (ha).
To view wildfires on a map visit the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.
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, SWF115.
Warm and dry conditions led to increased fire activity yesterday, with visible smoke, open flames, and some burning trees from several hot spots. Rain did fall over the complex last night, with amounts between 4 to 17 mm. These favorable weather conditions should reduce fire activity and help firefighting efforts. Firefighters and heavy equipment on the ground, supported by helicopters with water buckets, are working to extinguish hot spots.
SWF085, which impacted the community of Chipewyan Lake, is 136,319 ha in size and is classified as out of control. The wildfire threat to the community of Chipewyan Lake remains minimal. Firefighters in a helicopter continue to monitor the wildfire and have reported little to no fire activity over the past several days.
SWF089, located approximately 5.5 km east of Peerless Lakes, is 12,927 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Fire activity continues to be low, and firefighters are extinguishing hot spots on the southwest side of the wildfire.
SWF092, located approximately 7 km southeast of Red Earth Creek and 8.5 km west of Trout Lake, is 79,577 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters with the support from helicopters with buckets are extinguishing hot spots across the wildfire. Heavy equipment is moving into the south end of the wildfire to build containment lines.
SWF095, located approximately 5 km from Peerless Lake and 7 km from Trout Lake is 1,308 ha in size and is classified as being held. Firefighters are monitoring this wildfire and have observed smoke that poses no threat of fire spread to the nearby communities. Unburned vegetation within the interior of the wildfire continues to ignite, and smoke will remain visible.
SWF100, located approximately 5 km west of Peerless Lake, is 18,347 ha in size and is classified as out of control. Firefighters are working on the east side of the wildfire heading west, extinguishing hot spots along containment lines with the support of helicopters with buckets. A specialized crew of dangerous tree assessors continue survey the area to remove hazardous, fire-damaged trees for firefighter safety.
Evacuation order
Firefighters continue to work extremely hard to fight the wildfires in the Red Earth East Complex.
An evacuation order remains in effect for the communities of Chipewyan Lake, and Trout Lake and Peerless Lake.
Evacuation alert
A 2 hour evacuation alert remains in effect for the communities of Red Earth Creek and Loon 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) and the Edith Lake Wildfire (SWF076) are both under control. Firefighting operations have been paused until the next infrared scan is conducted to detect if there are any remaining hot spots. Heavy equipment is actively working to reclaim containment lines on these wildfires.
Get your free fire permit
A fire permit is required for any burning in the Forest Protection Area, except for a campfire, from March 1 to October 31.
Fire permits are free and ensure safe burning practices are being followed. They allow staff to know where burning is approved so firefighters and aircraft are free to fight wildfires.
Fire permits can be requested online. You may also request your fire permit by calling your local forestry office.
- Slave Lake 780-849-7377
- Wabasca 780-891-3860
- High Prairie 780-523-6619
Visit safe burning for more information on safe burning practices.
Published on July 9, 2025 1:14 pm
Wildfire season runs March 1 – October 31.
From March 1 to October 31, all burning activities in the Forest Protection Area, excluding campfires, require a fire permit.
Prevent wildfires by checking on winter burn sites. Winter burns can smoulder underground and often reignite in the spring. Extinguish a fire by soaking it, stirring it, and soaking it again.
Contact info
Leah Lovequist
780-849-0945
[email protected]
Media inquiries
780-420-1968
[email protected]