Wildfire GWF018 burns a section of forest in the Grande Prairie district of Alberta in a May 6, 2023, handout photo. Vermilion Energy Inc. says it has temporarily shut-in about 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of production as it assesses the risk to its operations due to wildfires in Alberta. (PHOTO: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Government of Alberta Fire Service)

By Canadian Press

Energy companies curtail production due to Alberta wildfires

May 8, 2023 | 8:18 AM

CALGARY, AB – Vermilion Energy Inc. says it temporarily has shut-in about 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of production as it assesses the risk to its operations due to the wildfires in Alberta.

The company says its assessment to date indicates minimal damage to its key infrastructure.

Vermillion says it has accounted for all of its employees and contractors in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Paramount Resources Ltd. said on Sunday its operations in the Grande Prairie and Kaybob regions in Alberta are being affected and that it temporarily has curtailed about 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of production.

Several thousand people have been ordered to leave their homes as more than 100 wildfires burn across Alberta.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith activated the cabinet’s emergency management committee Friday and said there would be daily media briefings on the wildfire situation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2023.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.