Update 16: Alberta wildfire update (July 25, 3 p.m.)

Thunderstorms moving across the boreal forest sparked new wildfires; cooler weather conditions are helping to suppress wildfire activity.

Current situation (as of 3 p.m., July 25)

There are 56 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area, and three mutual aid fires.
- 12 are classified as out of control, 11 are being held and 33 are under control.
- There have been 12 new wildfires since yesterday.
Since Jan. 1, there have been 840 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, burning more than 671,000 hectares.
More than 1,400 Alberta firefighters, contract firefighters and imported firefighters are currently battling wildfires across the province.
Resources currently being used include heavy equipment, air tankers, helicopters and night vision helicopters.
Alberta has imported firefighters and support staff from Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Australia and Chile.
Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Orders and alerts

Updates on evacuation orders are available on www.alberta.ca/emergency.
On July 24, The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council cancelled its evacuation alerts for the communities of Loon Lake, Trout Lake and Peerless Lake.
On July 24, The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17 cancelled its evacuation alert for Red Earth Creek.
On July 22, the Town of Slave Lake and the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124 cancelled the evacuation alert for the town and other residences on the east side of the lake.
The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17’s evacuation order for Chipewyan Lake remains in effect.
- Reception centre at Lakeview Sports Centre, 102 Opportunity Drive, Wabasca-Desmarais.
Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued by local authorities and are updated at their discretion. For the best source of information on the status of evacuation orders and alerts, residents are encouraged to follow their local authorities’ preferred communication channels for updates.
People living in Alberta are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.

Fire bans

Fire advisories are in place for the Grande Prairie, Lac La Biche, High Level, Slave Lake and Peace River Forest Areas.
- Under the advisory, fire permits will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Safe campfires are still permitted.
Please confirm advisories, restrictions or bans for your area at alberta.ca/fire-bans.
Fire bans outside the Forest Protection Area are the responsibility of municipalities and counties.
Everyone has a role to play in wildfire prevention. Follow all fire bans and restrictions to avoid new fire starts. If you see smoke or flames in the forest, call 310-FIRE to report it.
Applying FireSmart principles to homes and property can mitigate the risk of wildfire damage. Removing flammable materials and vegetation around the property and preventing embers from accumulating can help protect your home from wildfires. To learn more, visit FireSmart Alberta.

Air quality

Visit Wildfire Smoke Information for air quality monitoring information to make informed decisions about outdoor activities to protect your health. While wildfire smoke is affecting air quality in parts of Alberta, the presence of smoke does not necessarily mean there is fire near your community. Find information about the status of active wildfires and wildfire updates at Alberta Wildfire.

Roads and highways

There are no road closures from wildfires.
511 Alberta is the best source of real time information as conditions change on our highways. Follow on X (formerly known as Twitter) @511alberta.
Alberta highways that are affected by the wildfires will open and close frequently depending on safety and weather conditions. Be patient and respect the staff at the closure/detour sites – they are there with your safety in mind.

Health

For information about wildfire resources, including mental health, visit Wildfire Resources | Alberta Health Services.

Child care

Opportunity Childcare in Red Earth Creek has reopened.
Licensed child-care programs are required to notify Child Care Connect if they close unexpectedly.
Parents and guardians should reach out to their child-care provider for information on closures.

Justice and court services

The Red Earth Creek courthouse is closed until further notice.
Visit the Alberta Courts website for the most current information regarding court scheduling.

Related information

Media inquiries

Alberta Wildfire

780-420-1968