Canadian energy producers say they are prepared and ready for what could be another spring and summer of drought and wildfires in Western Canada.

Many of this country’s largest conventional oil and gas drillers operate in regions which last year were affected by severe hot, dry weather conditions.

As early as the start of last May, oil and gas companies in northwest and central Alberta as well as northeast B.C. found themselves temporarily halting production as wildfires raged across key fossil fuel-producing regions.

Most of the curtailments were done on a precautionary basis and no significant damage to energy-producing infrastructure occurred.

Now, as this year’s snow melts and spring-like conditions return to Western Canada, oil and gas producers are prepared for what could be another fiery year. In late February, Alberta’s government declared an early start to wildfire season, warning of unusually dry conditions and low snow cover.