Heat wave increases wildfire risk, causing Suncor and Cenovus to evacuate non-essential oilsands workers
Suncor and Cenovus employees in the oilsands are being evacuated due to wildfires in northern Alberta, as a heat wave increases the risk of fires across the province, as reported by the Financial Post.
Last week, Suncor evacuated non-essential workers from its Firebag facility due to nearby wildfires. The company has curtailed some production while essential personnel remain on site.
The Firebag site typically hosts about 400 people and produces approximately 215,000 barrels per day, according to Suncor’s website.
Cenovus has also demobilized staff “not directly involved in operations” at its Sunrise site, located about 60 kilometres northeast of Fort McMurray. This site produces around 50,000 barrels per day, according to a 2022 company release.
Oil and gas companies with facilities in northern Alberta receive twice-daily briefings from the Alberta government on wildfire status. Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen stated that these briefings help companies decide whether to evacuate workers or shut down facilities.
“They know their operations best, so they’ll make the decisions on whether they should evacuate, shut down facilities, or things like that,” Loewen said. “Our main purpose and goal is to make sure they’re informed so they can make informed decisions on how they’re operating.”
Loewen did not mention if other companies have curtailed production or evacuated employees. The Alberta government has not intervened or assisted in managing the wildfire risk for oilsands companies.
Alberta Wildfire reported Tuesday morning that the prolonged heat wave is rapidly increasing the wildfire risk across the province.
Wildfire danger in Alberta is climbing to very high and extreme levels due to the current heat event. As a result, the entire southern part of the Forest Protection Area is now under a fire advisory, which impacts fire permits. More info: https://t.co/9lOj6YVx5l pic.twitter.com/s7ARPWGN9d
— Alberta Wildfire (@AlbertaWildfire) July 9, 2024
Large sections of southern Alberta, including areas around Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, are under fire bans, while most areas north of these municipalities are under fire advisories.
After a wet and cool spring in southern Alberta kept the region’s skies clear of wildfire smoke, northern Alberta now faces several wildfires, including two major out-of-control blazes.
More than 200 firefighters are working to manage an aggressive 13,000-hectare fire about 70 kilometres northeast of Fort McMurray, and about eight kilometres from industrial facilities in the oilsands.
Monday’s update indicated that firefighters expected a “challenging” day due to hotter temperatures. Loewen identified north of Fort McMurray as the most concerning wildfire hotspot.
Several other wildfires in the Peace region are burning close to each other, requiring 113 firefighters, according to Alberta Wildfire. One of these fires, caused by lightning, is estimated to be greater than 16,000 hectares but is not considered a threat to any communities.
Loewen noted that southern Alberta’s fire risk is not a concern at the moment. However, a prolonged heatwave could dry out the forest, negating the moisture accumulated earlier in the spring and summer.
“There is some moisture in the forest, but a period of hot weather over an extended period of time will dry out that forest and we’ll have concerns in the south, too,” he said.
