Wildfire live updates: Half of Chipewyan Lake’s buildings burned down | Wildfires force evacuations from mining operations​on June 4, 2025 at 2:33 pm

This means the community experienced a 49 per cent structure loss as a result of the wildfire.

A boots-on-the ground assessment began on Tuesday and more updated information will be available as it comes.

The M.D. of Opportunity and Bigstone Cree Nation are working on temporary housing solutions, and Chipewyan Lake is working on permanent solutions. Local governments are lobbying the provincial and federal government to support efforts.

Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada continues to blow across the Atlantic into Europe, but it is largely contained in a high-altitude layer of the atmosphere and is unlikely to affect air quality.

Still, it could lead to hazy skies and dramatic sunrises and sunsets, according to scientists with Europe’s Copernicus satellite program.

Forecasts show the plume tracking east across France, Germany, Poland and Sweden on Wednesday. Another wave could return to parts of France and the UK on Thursday, Copernicus data show.

The smoke was first detected in Europe around May 18 near Greece and the eastern Mediterranean, according to Copernicus. A second, much larger plume was recorded in northwestern Europe on June 1.

The long-distance movement of the smoke is likely due to the wildfires’ intense heat, Copernicus researchers said. That heat was enough to create a type of thunderstorm-like cloud, a sign that high temperatures are pushing smoke, ash and moisture into the atmosphere, where powerful jet streams can catch it and spread it across the planet.

Alberta’s wildfire threat stabilized as rain slowed the growth of some blazes and one oilsands operator resumed operation after shutting down last week.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. said it started its Jackfish 1 site on Monday and expects to ramp production up to 36,500 barrels a day by June 6. A wildfire near Cold Lake prompted the company to evacuate workers and halt operations.

Wildfires in Alberta have forced evacuations and at one point shut about seven per cent of Canada’s daily oil production. About 462,000 barrels of daily crude output was within 10 kilometers of blazes that are 10 hectares or larger Tuesday, down from about 470,000 barrels at risk Monday, provincial data show.

Alberta’s fire season is shaping up to be one of the most severe in recent years, threatening significant amounts of oil production, burning wide swathes of forest and natural areas and spurring the evacuations of thousands. More than 490,000 hectares have burned in Alberta this year, roughly 17 times the total burned at this point last year but still less than half than in the record fire season of 2023.

• Swan Complex: The Edith Lake wildfire and Hubert Lake wildfire were merged into the Swan Complex on Friday. Crews are fighting the fires in the Swan Hills and Westlock areas. Swan Hills and Hubert Lake Wildland Provincial Park are under evacuation orders.
• Red Earth East Complex: A number of wildfires affecting communities including Trout, Peerless, Red Earth Creek, Loon Lake and Chipewyan Lake have been merged into one complex. Evacuations have been ordered in Chipewyan Lake Loon Lake First Nation and Red Earth Creek.
• Caribou Lake: Efforts to protect structures at Winefred Lake were delayed due to dangerous conditions. Conklin remains under wildfire alert. “Two oil and gas facilities (MEG energy, Pike Lodge) and two fishing lodges (Winefred Lake, Winefred Outfitters) have been evacuated,” the province said.
• Whitefish: Efforts underway to protect buildings in Whitefish First Nation, which is under evacuation notice, although there was no threat to the community at last report.
• Sousa Creek: This wildfire east of Rainbow Lake registered significant growth. Hay River 209 Indian Reserve and Chateh have been evacuated, the province said, noting some structure protection work was underway.
• PWF050: This wildfire started Monday afternoon and exhibited rapid growth. It is located five km west of Highway 35 and three km northwest of the Twin Lakes Provincial Recreation Area.
• Tulip Lake: Burning 19 km northeast of Fort Fitzgerald and 28 km east of Fort Smith, this out-of-control fire is showing increased activity on Tuesday due to higher temperatures and gusting winds. Airtankers will be available if needed throughout the day.
• Yellowhead Complex: The January Creek and Mercoal Creek fires combine to create the Yellowhead Complex. The complex showed low fire behaviour on Monday and the same is expected through Tuesday afternoon, allowing fire crews to make good progress.
• Bison: This wildfire is burning 65 km east of the town of Manning, on the east side of the Peace River with smoke visible from Highway 936 and Highway 35. This fire is not currently a threat to communities.

Westlock County residents on the east side of the Pembina River are allowed to return home, according to the alert, but should remain vigilant.

Residents on the west side of the Pembina River remain under the mandatory evacuation order.

With below-normal snowpacks during the winter and predicted summer-time drought conditions hitting various parts of Canada, the wildfire season could be a difficult one. Already, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency to help protect people from raging flames and significant evacuations of northern communities in both provinces have seen thousands of people forced to flee their homes.

“This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans’ living memory and this will require significant resources and co-operation from all levels of government,” says Manitoba premier Wab Kinew. Already, two people have died in wildfires in that province.

When it comes to human-caused fires, wildfire experts provide some straightforward advice. Start by being familiar with campfire safety. Use designated fire pits and don’t start a fire near an abundance of nearby potential fuel. Keep the fire sheltered from the wind; keep water nearby in case of emergency; and, ensure all fires are extinguished each night.

If you’re in a rural area, ensure you know how to safely burn vegetation or brush or understand how to use burn barrels.

Rules for everyone? Don’t flick smoking materials onto the ground or out a vehicle’s window. Obey all fire bans. Avoid use of explosive materials like fireworks.

If you live in a forested area, ensure you are familiar with the FireSmart guidelines to protect your house, neighbourhood or community. They offer a myriad of tips that can help save properties and lives.

Additionally, experts suggest all levels of government need to work together to share effective strategies, reduce fuel loads and manage forests responsibly.