Swan Hills’ potential Thursday re-entry date dependent on promising wildfire outlook

A diagram of the Edith Lake wildfire burning near Swan Hills, Alta., on June 4, 2025. (Source: Alberta Wildfire)

The Town of Swan Hills, which was evacuated May 26 because of a wildfire, is working on a re-entry plan, officials announced Wednesday.

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Residents may be allowed to return home as soon as Thursday, however, the timeline is dependent on an update about wildfire conditions from the province Wednesday evening.

“There are many factors to take into consideration as we work towards this goal. Fire behavior is very dynamic and can change very quickly. We are basing our decision for this potential date and time on being able to meet benchmarks to ensure a safe return to the public,” the town said in an update on its website.

Officials called wildfire projections “pivotal” to the decision.

Swan Hills, a community of about 1,300, is located about 220 kilometres northwest of Edmonton in the Swan Lake Forest Area.

• Displaced residents of Alberta town cling to hope as wildfire burns nearby

According to the most recent information from Alberta Wildfire, the Edith Lake wildfire roughly eight kilometres north of Swan Hills continues to burn out of control and is 168 square kilometres big.

The blaze did not grow over Tuesday night.