A precautionary evacuation is underway at Cenovus’ Pelican Lake facility because of an encroaching wildfire burning very close by.
A statement on the company’s website said the fire was discovered one kilometre away from the facility’s main complex, about 27 kilometres southwest of the hamlet of Wabasca, at 2 p.m.
The energy firm said as a result of the wildfire, it is undertaking a precautionary shutdown and evacuation of all its facilities in the area.
According to Cenovus, firefighters with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry are battling the blaze and the Alberta Energy Regulator has been notified.
Provincial fire officials confirmed there is an “aggressive wildfire” in the area.
“There was a large fire out by Wabasca,” Travis Fairweather, a wildfire information officer, said. “We are not sure the cause of it right now. It’s still under investigation. It’s definitely created a large black plume of smoke which is very noticeable and definitely cause for concern. But…we’re on it.”
“Any time you see some of the hotter conditions like we’ve had today, lower humidities, you’ll see some increased fire behaviour but nothing we can’t handle,” Fairweather said.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday the fire was considered 40 hectares in size.
Fairweather estimates four air tankers were sent to the fire right away.
Pelican Lake is about 400 kilometres southwest of Fort McMurray.
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