The 2011 Slave Lake Fire was the most recent & catastrophic fire in the region but it was not the first. On June 11, 1910 a similar fire, fanned by gale force winds, was burning on the south side of the Athabasca River across from the settlement of Mirror Landing. Located where the Lesser Slave River empties into the Athabasca, the settlers felt that the wide span of river between them and the fire would keep them safe.
The McLeod family, who operated the telegraph station in their home, tried to lessen the effects of the smoke by closing all of the doors and windows. Their first inclination that the fire had jumped the river was the burning tree that fell on the house.
After running for their lives, they took refuge in the Northern Transportation Company warehouse which, by some “freak of the fire’, was spared. The fire continued northward destroying thousands of dollars worth of standing timber, hay and settlers’ buildings. By Monday, June 13, 1910 it had burnt itself out.
As you are searching for geocaches in the area. Watch the stumps in areas where there are pine trees. If they are old and burnt believe they are from this fire.