JUNE 6 @ 8:45AM: Please be advised that moving forward, we will no longer be providing updates on this wildfire, as it is now being held. However, we will keep you informed if there are any important developments.
Thanks to the efforts of firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft, this wildfire is classified as being held. It is estimated at 17,148 hectares in size. This means that, given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past existing boundaries.
The evacuation order for the Town of Swan Hills has been downgraded to an evacuation alert. For more information, visit Alberta Emergency Alert or the Town of Swan Hill’s website.
For information on facility status, visit Edith Lake Provincial Recreation Area and Chrystina Lake Provincial Recreation Area.
Although the overall wildfire risk has decreased, some hazards remain. Residents and anyone in the area are encouraged to stay alert, take precautions and avoid the wildfire area when returning to the community. Possible dangers include:
- Unstable trees that may fall without warning
- Hidden hot spots or ash pits
- Smouldering materials
- Displaced wildlife in the area
Please use caution when moving through the area and be advised that reduced speed limits are in place along Highway 33 to protect wildfire crews working in the area.
Smoky conditions
Due to the ongoing wildfire activity, smoky conditions are expected to persist across the area. Visit FireSmoke Canada to see where the smoke is coming from. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link.
Fire Ban
A fire ban remains in effect the Big Lakes County Permit area. Under this ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited, and existing fire permits are suspended.
For more info: www.alberta.ca/wildfire-update-slave-lake-forest-area
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JUNE 5 @ 10:20AM: The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076) is located approximately 8 km north of Swan Hills. This wildfire is now estimated to be 16,883 hectares in size.
Thanks to the efforts of firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft, this wildfire is now classified as being held. This means that, given current weather conditions and resources, the wildfire is not anticipated to grow past existing boundaries.
There is a lot of work ahead to bring this fire under control. There are still hot spots within the interior that need to be extinguished. This will take time. The fire has burned deeply into the ground in some areas. Firefighters will continue working with the support of heavy equipment and helicopters to contain and put out remaining active areas. Map of SWF076
Swan Hills evacuation
The Town will be removing the evacuation order on Thursday June 5, 2025, at 11:00am. There will be no re-entry until the Alberta Emergency Alert has been officially changed. Please do not try to enter prior to this time as there will be no access. For more information, visit Alberta Emergency Alert or download the app. Information for residents is available on the Town of Swan Hills website.
Alberta Parks closure
Edith Lake and Chrystina Lake Provincial Recreation Areas remain closed. For details, visit Alberta Parks closures.
Highway 33
Highway 33 is open with reduced speed limits to protect crews working in the area. Conditions are being monitored closely, as they can change quickly. For the latest updates, visit 511 Alberta
Smoky conditions
Due to the ongoing wildfire activity, smoky conditions are expected to persist across the area. Visit FireSmoke Canada to see where the smoke is coming from. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link.
Fire Ban
A fire ban remains in effect the Big Lakes County Permit area. Under this ban, all outdoor wood fires are prohibited and existing fire permits are suspended.
For more info: www.alberta.ca/wildfire-update-slave-lake-forest-area
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JUNE 4 @ 9:45AM: The Edith Lake Wildfire remains classified as out of control and is estimated at 17,148 hectares in size.
There was no growth on the wildfire yesterday. Cooler temperatures and recent rain have helped firefighting efforts. However, warmer weather is expected later this week. As conditions dry out again, the risk of wildfire activity will increase.
Swan Hills Evacuation
The evacuation order for the Town of Swan Hills remains in effect. For more information, visit Alberta Emergency Alert or download the app. The Town of Swan Hills has information available for residents on their website.
Highway 33
Highway 33 is open with reduced speed limits to protect crews working in the area. Conditions are being monitored closely, as conditions can change quickly. For the latest updates, visit 511 Alberta.
Alberta Parks Closure
Edith Lake and Chrystina Lake Provincial Recreation Areas are closed due to their proximity to the wildfire. For details, visit Alberta Parks closures.
Fire Ban
A fire ban remains in effect the Big Lakes County Permit 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 firepit
- 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.
For more info: www.alberta.ca/wildfire-update-slave-lake-forest-area
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JUNE 2 @ 11:45AM: Highway 33 between the junction with Highway 2 near Kinuso and Swan Hills has reopened following earlier wildfire activity. Please note:
- Expect reduced visibility due to smoke
- Watch for personnel and equipment on or near the road surface.
- Be advised: Highway 33 may close without warning due to wildfire activity.
For the latest updates, visit 511 Alberta
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MAY 29 @ 12:30PM: The wildfire remains classified as out of control and is now estimated to be 7,157 hectares in size.
Following a busy day yesterday, the wildfire remained quiet overnight due to cool and calm weather conditions. This allowed crews, supported by heavy equipment, to make progress on containment lines. That work will continue today, with helicopters conducting strategic bucketing operations and airtankers providing support when available.
Conditions are expected to be challenging today due to shifting winds and gusts exceeding 60 km/h, which will create extreme wildfire behaviour and make firefighting operations difficult.
Due to the continued extreme fire behaviour, highway 33 remains closed at this time. For the most up-to-date information on road closures, visit 511 Alberta.
The evacuation order remains in effect for the Town of Swan Hills. For details and updates, visit Albert Emergency Alert.
For your safety, stay out of the area, both the evacuation and road closure are in place to protect the public.
Smoky conditions
Smoke columns are expected to be visible throughout the region as hot and dry conditions persist. To see forecasted smoke, please visit FireSmoke.ca. If you have smoke related health concerns, please visit or contact Alberta 811.
School Closures
The smoke from wildfires in the region has resulted in very poor air quality in our schools in Joussard and Kinuso. For the most up to date information, please visit Wildfire Protocol – High Prairie School Division
For more info: www.alberta.ca/wildfire-update-slave-lake-forest-area
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MAY 28 @ 3PM – The Edith Lake wildfire (SWF076) remains classified as out of control and is estimated at 3,629 hectares in size.
Weather conditions today are expected to increase fire activity. Temperatures are forecasted to reach 28°C, with southeast winds at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h.
Firefighters, supported by helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment, continue to respond. Night vision-equipped helicopters and heavy equipment worked overnight to strengthen containment lines and support ongoing suppression efforts.
On May 27, the wildfire crossed Highway 33, which remains closed at this time. Today, crews are focusing on containing the southeast side of the wildfire in the area where it crossed the highway. For the most up-to-date information on road closures, visit 511 Alberta.
An evacuation order remains in effect for the Town of Swan Hills. For details and updates, visit Albert Emergency Alert.
Smoky Conditions
Due to the wildfire activity in the Slave Lake Forest Area, smoky conditions will be present. Visit www.firesmoke.ca to see where the smoke is coming from. Anyone with health concerns should visit Alberta Health Services or call 811 for health advice from Alberta Health Link.
School Closures
The smoke from wildfires in the region has resulted in very poor air quality in our schools in Joussard and Kinuso. For the most up to date information, please visit Wildfire Protocol – High Prairie School Division
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MAY 27 @ 10:45AM – The wildfire north of Swan Hills is now going to be referred to as the Edith Lake Wildfire.
The Edith Lake Wildfire was detected on the afternoon of May 25 and is located 8 km north of Swan Hills and 5 km west of highway 33. This wildfire is currently classified as out of control and is 2,266 hectares (ha).
The fire activity was low across the fire overnight due to cool temperatures and high humidity overnight resulted in low fire behavior.
Night vision equipped helicopters, firefighters and heavy equipment worked through the night.
Hot, dry and windy conditions are expected today and fire activity is expected to increase. Firefighters, helicopters, airtankers and heavy equipment operators continue to focus on reducing the spread of the wildfire.
Two wildland urban interface crews and a high volume water delivery system are being deployed for the Town of Swan Hills. An incident command team and additional firefighting crews will arrive today.
Due to smoke causing poor visibility, Highway 33 remains closed. Visit 511 Alberta for the most up to date information on road closures.
An evacuation order has been issued for the town of Swan Hills. For information on the evacuation order please visit Albert Emergency Alert.
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MAY 26 @1:15PM – Wildfire SWF076 was detected yesterday afternoon and is located about 8 km north of Swan Hills and 5 km west of highway 33. This wildfire is currently classified as out of control and estimated to be 1606 hectares (ha).
A night-vision equipped helicopter, firefighters and three heavy equipment groups worked through the night to contain the southern side of the fire. Water skimming airtankers are working on the fire this morning. Firefighters, helicopters and the heavy equipment groups will continue to work on containment today. A wildland unban interface crew will be joining firefighters to do assessments in the Swan Hills area today.
Big Lakes County and the Town of High Prairie Fire Services have mobilized resources and personnel to provide critical support for the Town of Swan Hills. Fire crews, equipment, and other emergency assets are being deployed to assist local efforts in managing the incident and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.
To see this wildfire on a map, download the AB Wildfire Status app or visit the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard. An emergency alert has been issued for the town of Swan Hills. For information on active alerts, please visit Albert Emergency Alert. Check 511 Alberta for any potential road closures in the area.
Fire restriction
A fire restriction remains in effect for the Big Lakes County Permit Area. Under this restriction, all outdoor wood fires are banned on public lands and existing fire permits are suspended.
Prohibited
- Outdoor wood fires on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas.
- Any burning, other than a campfire, on private land
- Fireworks and exploding targets
Allowed
- Safe wood campfires on private land including provincial campgrounds with designated fire ring
- Backyard firepits
- Propane fire pits and natural gas-powered appliances
- Barbecue charcoal briquettes
- Indoor wood fires
- Open flame oil devices
If you see smoke or fire, call 9-1-1 or 310-FIRE (3473) immediately. For complete fire advisory/restriction/ban details and active wildfires across Alberta, visit: https://www.alberta.ca/wildfire-status or https://www.albertafirebans.ca/
