A gas pipeline owned by TC Energy Corp. ruptured near Edson, Alta., on Tuesday, sparking a wildfire.
The Calgary-based pipeline operator confirmed the rupture in a statement Tuesday afternoon.
“We are working closely with first responders in the region, including the RCMP, Yellowhead County and Alberta Wildfire,” the company said.
“An initial natural gas ignition at the rupture site has now been extinguished. We are working to support Alberta Wildfire in its response to contain a secondary fire.”
TC Energy Corp. had said in a statement issued earlier in the day that it was alerted at approximately 11 a.m. Tuesday to an “incident” on its NGTL pipeline system in Yellowhead County, about 40 kilometers northwest of Edson and 55 kilometers northeast of Hinton.
The company said the affected section of the pipeline had been isolated and closed, and there were no reports of injuries.
But Charlotte Charbonneau, area information coordinator for Alberta Parks and Forests, said the pipeline incident had sparked a wildfire in the area that, as of mid-afternoon, was 10 hectares in size.
Charbonneau said the fire had not threatened any communities and Alberta Wildfire had 12 wildland firefighters and eight heavy equipment on scene. Air tankers and a helicopter were also available to assist.
“The fire is still considered out of control, but firefighters are making very good progress,” he said.
TC Energy pipeline rupture sparks wildfire near #Edson, Alta. #TCEnergy #Wildfire #NGTL #Alberta
“They will continue working until probably nightfall, trying to contain the fire, and then resume work in the morning.”
Charbonneau added that current dry grass conditions in the Edson area mean wildfires can burn and burn quickly. He said any spark, hot exhaust or friction near dry vegetation can spark a wildfire.
TC Energy’s NGTL pipeline system transports natural gas from Alberta and northeastern British Columbia to domestic and export markets. The system spans 24,631 kilometers and connects to TC Energy’s Canadian Mainline system, the Foothills system and other third-party pipelines.
While some of TC Energy’s customers were temporarily affected while the affected pipeline segment was isolated, the company said Tuesday afternoon that the rest of its system was operating normally.
“There are no business impacts at this time. We continue to communicate directly with our customers,” the company said.
“We are working closely with regulators and authorities and will cooperate in the investigation of this incident.”
In a statement posted on its website, Yellowhead County said there were no further gas leaks from the pipeline and there was no threat to the public.
The county said it had been determined that “there was involvement in the pipeline,” but the cause of the fire remained under investigation.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has sent an investigator to the scene.
TC Energy said it would provide additional information on Tuesday’s rupture as it becomes available.
The company’s stock price fell two percent on Tuesday, to $48.60 per share.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published. April 16, 2024.
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