Slave Lake is a small town in northern Alberta, Canada about 200 km northwest of Edmonton and a similar distance southwest of Fort McMurray. It is located on the southeast shore of Lesser Slave Lake at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 88. Slave Lake is in the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124.Slave Lake serves a local centre for the area. The administrative office for the Sawridge First Nation reserve is also located in the town.HistoryThe area of the present-day Town of Slave Lake was discovered by Europeans when David Thompson visited the area in 1799. Following his brief visit, several fur trading posts were established around Slave Lake, with a Hudson's Bay Company post established at the mouth of the lake. The first community, called Sawridge, was renamed Slave Lake in 1923. It was wiped out by a flood in the 1930s, and was subsequently moved to the current location. It was incorporated as a town in 1965.The Town of Slave Lake was inundated by the flood of Sawridge Creek in July 1988.2011 wildfireOn May 15, 2011, large parts of the town were affected by wildfires in the area. Winds pushed the flames into the town and destroyed many houses and businesses. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued, but with highways being closed, residents were urged to make their way to beaches, large parking lots, and open spaces. Highway 2 had been closed at the outset of the fire, but eventually re-opened for evacuation, with full evacuation ordered for Slave Lake.