Wildfires in northern Alberta have forced the evacuation of Swan Hills and disrupted oil and gas operations in the region.

A blaze approximately 1,600 hectares in size is burning out of control about 7 kilometers north of the town, prompting the evacuation of around 1,200 residents to nearby Whitecourt.

Aspenleaf Energy has temporarily halted production of approximately 4,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and evacuated its field staff as a precautionary measure.

Canadian Natural Resources, which also operates in the area, has not yet commented on the situation.

Another wildfire, approximately 390 hectares in size, is burning out of control in Yellowhead County, marking Alberta's first significant fires this spring.

These incidents follow a particularly destructive wildfire season last year, which saw substantial impacts on oil production and led to widespread evacuations. Financial Post