Suncor has announced a temporary halt in production at its Firebag oil sands site as a nearby wildfire rages out of control. The company has withdrawn all non-essential workers and taken measures to ensure the facility remains in a state ready to resume full operations at the earliest safe opportunity.
Suncor Energy Inc. is Canada’s second largest oilsands producer by volume and according to the company as of now, there are no reported risks at other Suncor operations. However, the company remains vigilant and prepared to implement additional measures if required.
As of Thursday afternoon the wildfire is spanning over 21 square kilometeres and is burning out of control around 70 kilometeres Northeast of Fort McMurray.
According to the Alberta government, the fire was approximately eight kilometres northeast of Suncor’s Firebag main plant, 14 kilometres northeast of Suncor’s Firebag Aerodrome and 16 kilometres east of Imperial Oil’s Kearl oilsands facility.
