Alberta Wildfire Shifts North, Forces Oil Sands Producers to Re-evacuate

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Shortly after oil sands producers felt safe enough to start resuming operations in the Fort McMurray area of Alberta, the wildfire that has lasted nearly two weeks and caused an evacuation of more than 80,000 people has shifted north, putting facilities at risk once again.

The new blaze, which started west of Fort McMurray, led to a mandatory evacuation of oil sands facilities and work camps north of the city, according to news reports. Around 8,000 people at 19 camps are being ordered to leave the area. Among the companies affected are Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU) (Calgary, Alberta) and Syncrude (Fort McMurray), which have begun the process of restarting operations and have employees in the evacuation zone.

Suncor said on its website that it has shut down its base plant operations as a precautionary measure. Suncor said there were no damage to facilities, adding, it "has enhanced fire mitigation and protection around all of its facilities."

TransAlta Corporation (NYSE:TAC) (Calgary) shut down its Poplar Creek cogeneration power plant early today due to the fire, according to Reuters. The plant provides power to Suncor.

According to the Edmonton Journal, the Conference Board of Canada estimates that the fire caused a loss of C$985 million ($765 million) in oil sands production.

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