Alberta's Massive Forest Fires Have Spread To The Main Oil-Sands Facilities North Of Fort McMurray

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Bloomberg: Alberta's 'Vicious' Wildfires Spread to Suncor Oil-Sands Site

* Syncrude, Husky join list of companies shutting production
* Blaze threatens Cnooc Ltd.'s Long Lake production facility

Wildfires raging through Alberta have spread to the main oil-sands facilities north of Fort McMurray, knocking out an estimated 1 million barrels of production from Canada’s energy hub. Fire officials say the out-of-control inferno may keep burning for months without significant rainfall.

The blaze, forecast to expand to more than 2,500 square kilometers (965 square miles) in the next few days, made an “unexpected” move to the north Saturday, rapidly encroaching bitumen mining operations run by Suncor Energy Inc. and Syncrude Canada Ltd. The fires may soon cover an area the size of Luxembourg.

“It is a dangerous and unpredictable and vicious fire that is feeding off an extremely dry Boreal forest,” federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told reporters Saturday in Regina, Saskatchewan. He said the swirling fire is not yet a threat to any additional communities.

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WNU Editor: I doubt that these oil facilities are in danger of burning down. The facilities are worth tens of billions of dollars .... and preventing the spread of fires is a priority within these production centers. But it is the people who are impacted. Approximately 2000 homes have been destroyed, and the fires are still ranging. Oil production has naturally been curtailed, which will impact global prices for the short term. I have a close friend and a distant cousin who work in Fort McMurray. They are lucky .... their homes and businesses have been sparred, but they are now in Edmonton waiting for the fires to burn out.

More News On Alberta's Massive Forest Fire

Officials fear massive Canada wildfire could double in size -- AP
Alberta wildfire growing, may reach Saskatchewan -- CNN
Canada fire rages for seventh day, evacuees brace for long wait -- Reuters
Massive Alberta blaze could burn for months: officials -- CTV
Live: The latest photos from Fort McMurray -- Calgary Herald