The flare at Burnaby’s Chevron refinery was brighter than normal after a power outage Sunday night.
The refinery runs around the clock, 365 days a year, and the flare is always burning excess gas from the refining process, explained Dave Schick, Chevron spokesperson. When the power goes out, the flare burns off more gas as a safety measure.
“It was quite bright yesterday evening,” Schick said. “It was significantly elevated but that’s what it’s supposed to do.”
Schick estimated the flare was burning more brightly from about 8 to 10 p.m., but there was no public safety concern.
