Natural Gas Pipeline Rupture Sparks Wildfire in Alberta

A natural gas pipeline owned by TC Energy Corp. ruptured near Edson, Alta., sparking a wildfire in the area. The Calgary-based pipeline operator confirmed the rupture, stating that they were working with various first responders in the region, including Alberta Wildfire, Yellowhead County, and RCMP.

The incident on the pipeline system, located in Yellowhead County, about 40 kilometres northwest of Edson, and 55 kilometres northeast of Hinton, was reported around 11 a.m. The affected section was isolated and shut down, with no reports of injuries.

However, the pipeline incident led to a 10-hectare wildfire in the area, according to Alberta Forestry and Parks. Alberta Wildfire deployed teams and equipment to contain the fire, which had not posed a threat to communities by mid-afternoon.

Despite the fire being classified as out of control initially, firefighters were making significant progress. Dry grass conditions in Edson heightened the risk, highlighting how quickly wildfires can spread in such environments.

The NGTL pipeline system, which transports natural gas from Alberta and northeast B.C., was briefly impacted by the incident but was soon operating normally. TC Energy, the operator, assured no commercial impacts, while regulators and authorities were set to investigate the rupture.

Yellowhead County confirmed the pipeline involvement in the fire, with no further gas leaks or public threats. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada dispatched an investigator to the scene. Market reaction to the incident saw a temporary surge in natural gas prices, which later pulled back.