Wildfire breaks out in Canada's oil heartland, approaching the Lac La Biche oil sands region

According to data from Alberta Wildfire, there are six out-of-control wildfires spreading in the Lac la Biche area, where many of Canada's largest in-situ oil sands wells are concentrated. The largest of these wildfires has already reached an area of 1,000 hectares (2,471.1 acres). Several major oil sands sites are only 11 to 19 kilometers away from wildfires larger than 10 hectares. The Conklin community, which has about 229 residents, has been instructed to prepare for immediate evacuation if necessary.