Alberta oil facilities remain under fire threat

EDMONTON, Alberta, May 5 (UPI) -- Alberta-based oil producer Suncor Energy said its facilities were running at reduced rates in response to wildfires raging in the Fort McMurray area.

Officials in the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo ordered mandatory evacuations in response to weather patterns that put the region directly in line with fire movement.

"Residents are urged to remain calm as there is adequate time for evacuation in a safe and timely manner," the municipal government said in a statement.

Buses departed at midnight.

Alberta is the provincial home to the oil sands industry in Canada, the largest oil exporter to the United States. Suncor, which runs one of the largest facilities in Alberta, said it was conducting an orderly shutdown of its operations as the fires spread.

With conditions changing, the company advised most of its non-critical staff to stay home while the situation remains under assessment. Steve Williams, the company's president and CEO, said Suncor was coordinating with municipal authorities and the area Red Cross on the emergency response.

"We will continue to support the relief effort and work closely with the regional emergency response to help coordinate the evacuation efforts," he said in a statement.

The company said its operational facilities in the Wood Buffalo area are in "safe condition." The provincial government of Alberta, meanwhile, declared a state of emergency, adding the evacuation orders affect around 80,000 people.

Since April 1, there have been nearly 330 wildfires reported across the entire province of Alberta. All but two are contained.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement the "most effective" action for provincial residents is to make donations to the Red Cross.

"We know Albertans are stepping up to help the people of Fort McMurray; that's what Albertans do when people are in need," she said in a statement.