Pelican Lake wildfire threat eases, allowing Cenovus workers to return

WABASCA, Alta. – An out-of-control wildfire in northern Alberta that prompted two companies to curtail heavy oil production in the Pelican Lake area is now being held, one of the companies says.

Cenovus Energy Inc. said it safely shut down about 23,000 barrels a day of production and ordered the evacuation of 118 staff from its Pelican Lake facility Tuesday. Photo: @GlobalCalgary.

Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE) said it safely shut down about 23,000 barrels a day of production and ordered the evacuation of 118 staff from its Pelican Lake facility Tuesday after a fire was discovered about one kilometre away from its complex.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the company said the fire had been downgraded by emergency officials and fireguards had been put in place to protect its facilities.

“Because the fire is not considered an imminent threat to our facilities or staff, we have determined it is currently safe for essential personnel to return to Pelican Lake,” said spokesman Brett Harris. “We expect to have 44 essential staff back at site by (Wednesday) evening.”

Crazy how close wildfire got to Cenovus & CNRL's Pelican Lake camps on Wednesday. Oil production resumed Thursday. pic.twitter.com/xAQPcV8FVJ

— Ryan Jespersen (@ryanjespersen) June 10, 2016

He said the company would assess restarting production on Thursday.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (TSX:CNQ) said earlier Wednesday the fire was a safe distance from its major facilities at Pelican Lake, but as a precaution it had temporarily stopped producing 800 barrels a day and moved non-essential personnel from the project’s northern camp.

Alberta wildfire officials said Wednesday the blaze almost doubled in size overnight to 91 hectares but that it was moving away from those oil facilities.

Three fire crews supported by helicopters and air tankers were fighting the fire, which is about 300 kilometres north of Edmonton and 30 kilometres northeast of the community of Wabasca, Alta.

1:45pm update 1/4:Essential staff returned to Pelican Lake yesterday & are
in the process of restarting production https://t.co/KXH6SR9yF9

— Cenovus Energy (@cenovus) June 9, 2016

1:45pm update 2/4: Our Pelican Lake complex is fully functional, including offices, camps & battery https://t.co/KXH6SR9yF9

— Cenovus Energy (@cenovus) June 9, 2016

1:45 pm update 3/4: Fire near our facilities continues to burn but is being held by @AlbertaAg. https://t.co/KXH6SR9yF9

— Cenovus Energy (@cenovus) June 9, 2016

1:45pm update 4/4: We have a comprehensive evacuation plan
to evacuate staff from site if conditions change https://t.co/KXH6SR9yF9

— Cenovus Energy (@cenovus) June 9, 2016

WATCH: Alberta wildfire burning dangerously close to major oil facility @nancyjcarlson has more #abfire https://t.co/ibjt3AShMs

— Global Edmonton (@GlobalEdmonton) June 8, 2016

Wildfire near Cenovus’s Pelican Lake facility: Precautionary evacuation underway https://t.co/KXH6SR9yF9

— Cenovus Energy (@cenovus) June 7, 2016