Achi news desk-
A natural gas pipeline rupture Tuesday morning in west central Alberta has sparked wildfires.
TC Energy activated its emergency response procedures after it was notified of the incident, involving its Nova Gas Transmission Line, located 40 kilometers northwest of Edson, Alta., at approximately 11 a.m., the company said in a statement. Edson is approximately 200 kilometers west of Edmonton and approximately 160 km northeast of the BC-Alberta border.
“The event created a wildfire pipeline and so Alberta Wildfire, Yellowhead County and TC Energy are currently responding to the wildfire,” said Caroline Charbonneau, Alberta Wildfire information officer for the Edson forest area.
The fire was considered out of control Tuesday afternoon, but an update from Alberta Wildfire posted at 7 pm said the fire is now considered contained.
“This means that, given the weather and current resources, it is not anticipated that the wildfires will grow beyond expected boundaries,” said the update, noting that the wildfires have covered approximately 10 hectares.
The Canadian Energy Regulator (CER) said in a statement late Tuesday that it was responding to the incident.
All TC Energy personnel working in the area were safely evacuated and no injuries have been reported, the regulator said.
“CER inspectors will be on site to monitor and assess the company’s immediate response and verify that all reasonable steps are being taken to protect workers, the public and the environment,” the CER said in its statement.
Charbonneau said Tuesday afternoon that conditions are dry but firefighters are making good progress and at this time no communities are threatened by the fire.
Yellowhead County said in a statement that it “worked with the gas company to shut down the pipeline. No more gas leaks.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the county said.
TC Energy said the 4.5 kilometer section of the affected pipeline had been isolated and shut down.
“There are no reports of injuries. Our primary focus at this time is the health and safety of responding personnel, surrounding communities and mitigating risk to the environment,” the company said in a statement on its website.
Alberta Wildfire is working with Yellowhead County and the company to fight the wildfires. As of Tuesday afternoon, the response includes eight pieces of heavy equipment, 12 wildfire extinguishers, air tankers and helicopters. No injuries have been reported.
The Nova Gas Transmission Line network spans 24,494 kilometers, according to TC Energy’s website. It links natural gas production in BC and Alberta to domestic and export markets.
In April 2022, a natural gas pipeline leak in northwestern Alberta caught fire and was investigated by the Transportation Safety Board. The TSB released its investigation report into that incident in January, finding that the pipe rupture was due to external corrosion.
The TSB said in a statement on Tuesday that it would deploy an investigator following the release and ignition of natural gas from the NOVA Gas pipeline.
The CER said the affected section of the 36-inch natural gas pipeline was completely isolated and TC Energy said there were no supply impacts due to the rupture.
Ad blocking test (Why?)
Source link
The post Firefighters battle wildfires near Edson, Alta., after natural gas line rupture – CBC.ca appeared first on Canada News Media.
