Energy producers say they are prepared, ready for 2024 drought, wildfire risks

Canadian energy producers say they are prepared and ready for what could be another spring and summer of drought and wildfires in Western Canada.

Last year's hot, dry weather conditions saw oil and gas companies in northwest and central Alberta as well as northeast B.C. temporarily halt production as wildfires raged across key fossil fuel-producing regions.

Most of the curtailments were done on a precautionary basis and no significant damage to energy-producing infrastructure occurred.

Jonathan Wright, CEO of NuVista Energy Ltd., says his company temporarily shut down all of its facilities in the Grande Prairie, Alta. area last May when fires made it impossible to access the company's sites by road.