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Interesting Facts
- Fort McMurray in northeastern Alberta is the economic center of the Wood Buffalo Regional Municipality. Once incorporated as a city on its own, the town merged in 1995 with several surrounding communities and a vast unincorporated region to create the regional municipality. Most of the municipality's 79,000 people live in Fort McMurray, making it Alberta's largest unincorporated locale.
- Before the arrival of Europeans in the late 18th century, Cree Indians initially settled the Fort McMurray area. The first white settler, Peter Pond, came in search of furs. He then explored the region along the Athabasca and the Clearwater Rivers and later set up a trading post north near Lake Athabasca. This first trading post closed in 1788 and moved to Fort Chipewyan, which is still the oldest continuous settlement in Alberta.
- The Athabasca Oil Sands, on which Fort McMurray sits, is the largest oil deposit in the world, encompassing an estimated 1.7 to 2.5 trillion underground barrels. This oil, held in a mixture of sand, water, and clay, is the town's largest economic driver, and most residents work in the oil industry. Drilling began in the region as early as the turn of the 20th century, and as the demand for (and production of) oil increased, so did the population.
- Tourists and business travelers who visit Fort McMurray often capitalize on the knowledge and experience of local tour operators, who lead exciting excursions to show off the Northern Lights. The spectacle, in which colors and movements vary, can last from several minutes to several hours.
- Fort McMurray is home to Keyano College, which provides educational programs related to the oil sands industry. The college is also the region's center of performing and visual arts and local events, with thousands visiting each year. The college hosts an annual Arts Alive series that showcases a variety of artists, performers, and theater productions.
- The Oil Barons are one of the few Junior Hockey League teams that have their games broadcast on local radio station WKYX 98. The station broadcasts most Saturday night home games during the regular season and all the home and away playoff games. Many players on the Oil Barons team go on to play for top-rated university programs or minor league teams.
- For outdoor enthusiasts and sports fans, there's much to do in Fort McMurray. The region abounds with natural resources and features a wealth of forests, streams, and valleys. Wildlife and wilderness areas are also open to exploration. In addition to skiing and snowboarding during winter months, folks enjoy warm-weather pursuits like swimming, hiking, biking, and golf.
- Temperatures and weather conditions vary greatly in Fort McMurray. Winter can be extremely cold and snowy, while spring and summer are often temperate and lovely. Average temperatures vary from winter's 5° highs and lows that reach a blustery 13°-below-zero to July's 50° to 70s° range. Travelers should pack accordingly.
- Camping is a popular pastime in Fort McMurray, especially during warm summer months. Visitors can take advantage of many campgrounds and cabin rental opportunities, which some folks find preferable to traditional hotel stays. Many facilities also stay open year-round and can accommodate families or groups. Camping information is available online at the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce.
- Fort McMurray residents are proud that the town was once home to model-actress Natasha Henstridge. Born in Springdale, Newfoundland, she grew up in Fort McMurray, leaving at the age of 14 to pursue a lucrative modeling career. Henstridge has appeared in scores of ads and fashion magazines and has had television and film roles as well.
