MEG Energy Corp. has proactively initiated a controlled evacuation of non-essential personnel from its Christina Lake oilsands operations as a result of nearby wildfires.
The company said Wednesday the decision was precautionary, noting the wildfires don’t pose any threat to their operations.
“Our first operating priority is to care for ourselves and all others,” said MEG CEO Darlene Gates in a news release.
“Our focus is to minimize and mitigate any potential impact on our people and our operations.”
MEG’s Christina Lake site is located about 150 kilometres south of Fort McMurray in northeast Alberta and has a production capacity of about 110,000 barrels of oil a day.
The company’s Christina Lake operations lie within the vast Fort McMurray Forest Area where Alberta Wildfire reported 24 active wildfires on Thursday.
Gates said the company is working with relevant authorities and continue to monitor the situation.
Cenovus Energy also has operations in Christina Lake and hasn’t reported any fire-related withdrawals.
“The safety of our people and assets is our top priority. We’re monitoring the fire situation across northern Alberta,” said a company spokesperson Thursday afternoon.
“There has been no impact on production and no staff have been demobilized from Christina Lake.”
Read More: Hot and dry conditions lead to fire ban in Saskatchewan
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