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Coordinates: 56°43′35″N 111°22′49″W / 56.72639°N 111.38028°W / 56.72639; -111.38028
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{{Short description|Place in Alberta, Canada}}
'''Fort McMurray''' is a city in [[Canada]]'s northeastern province of [[Alberta]], in the Regional Municipality of [[Wood Buffalo, Alberta]].
{{For|the First Nation|Fort McMurray First Nation}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Fort McMurray
| official_name = Fort McMurray Urban Service Area
| other_name = McMurray (1947–1962)
| settlement_type = [[Urban service area]] ([[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]])
| motto = We Have The Energy
| nicknames = "Fort Mac",<ref name="cry_enough" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/canada-oil-rush |title="No country for young men" |date=2012-03-29 |access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref> [[List of city nicknames in Canada#Alberta|"Fort McMoney"]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://edmontonjournal.com/business/Highway+twinning+vital+issue+Fort/6407887/story.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405222237/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Highway+twinning+vital+issue+Fort/6407887/story.html | archive-date=2012-04-05 | title=Highway 63 twinning vital issue in Fort Mac | author=Keith Gerein | newspaper=[[Edmonton Journal]] | publisher=[[Postmedia Network]] | date=April 4, 2012 | access-date=June 5, 2012}}</ref>
| image_skyline = Fort mcmurray aerial.jpg
| image_caption = Aerial view of Fort McMurray with [[Athabasca River]]
| image_blank_emblem =
| blank_emblem_type =
| blank_emblem_size = 120px
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Canada Alberta#Canada#CAN AB Wood Buffalo
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Canada
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Alberta]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of regions of Alberta|Region]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Northern Alberta]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of census divisions of Alberta|Census division]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Division No. 16, Alberta|16]]
| subdivision_type4 = [[Specialized municipalities of Alberta|Specialized municipality]]
| subdivision_name4 = [[Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo|RM of Wood Buffalo]]
| government_footnotes = <ref name="council">{{Wood Buffalo Municipal Council|ref}}</ref>
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Sandy Bowman
| leader_title1 = [[Local government|Governing body]]
| leader_name1 = {{Wood Buffalo Municipal Council}}
| leader_title2 = [[Current members of the Canadian House of Commons|MP]]
| leader_name2 = [[Laila Goodridge]] ([[Conservative Party of Canada|CPC]])
| leader_title3 = [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta|MLA]]
| leader_name3 = {{Plainlist|
* [[Brian Jean]] ([[United Conservative Party|UCP]])
* [[Tany Yao]] ([[United Conservative Party|UCP]])}}
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 1870
| established_title1 = Incorporated<ref name=AnnexHistory>{{cite web | url=http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/histoires_de_chez_nous-community_memories/CM_V2_Apps/ui/remWindow.php?remID=105500&remP=/sgc-cms/histoires_de_chez_nous-community_memories%252FCommunityMemories2%252FAAER%252F0002%252Ftext%252F&remEx=Fort+McMurray's+School+Stories&lg=English | title=Annexation History | publisher=Virtual Museum of Canada | access-date=November 2, 2014}}</ref><ref name=AMASMProfiles>{{cite web | url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/cfml/MunicipalProfiles/basicReport/SMUN.PDF | publisher=[[Alberta Municipal Affairs]] | title=Location and History Profile: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | page=30 | date=June 17, 2016 | access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref>
| established_date1 = &nbsp;
| established_title2 = &nbsp;•&nbsp;[[List of villages in Alberta|Village]]
| established_date2 = May 6, 1947
| established_title3 = &nbsp;•&nbsp;[[List of towns in Alberta|Town]]
| established_date3 = December 29, 1948
| established_title4 = &nbsp;•&nbsp;[[List of towns in Alberta#New towns|New town]]
| established_date4 = June 30, 1964
| established_title5 = &nbsp;•&nbsp;[[List of cities in Alberta|City]]
| established_date5 = September 1, 1980
| established_title6 = Name changed<ref name=AnnexHistory/>
| established_date6 = June 1, 1962
| established_title7 = [[List of municipal amalgamations in Alberta|Amalgamated]]<ref name=AMASMProfiles/>
| established_date7 = April 1, 1995<ref name= 2021census/>
| area_footnotes = &nbsp;(2021)
| area_land_km2 =
| area_urban_km2 = 52.17
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name= 2021census/>
| population_note = See [[Fort McMurray#Demographics|Demographics]] section for population counts from RM of Wood Buffalo's recent municipal censuses.
| population_total =
| population_density_km2 =
| population_urban = 68,002 <!-- 2016 StatCan population centre (urban area) population only (StatCan does not publish population for the larger Fort McMurray Urban Service Area boundary); latest municipal census result or subsequent estimates can be noted in the article body.-->
| population_density_urban_km2 = 1303.5
| population_blank1_title = [[Municipal census in Canada|Municipal census]] ([[2021 Alberta municipal censuses|2021]])
| population_blank1 = 72917<ref name=2021municipalcensus/>
| timezone = [[Mountain Time Zone|MST]]
| utc_offset = −07:00
| timezone_DST = MDT
| utc_offset_DST = −06:00
| coordinates = {{coord|56|43|35|N|111|22|49|W|region:CA-AB_source|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.safetycodes.ab.ca/Public/Documents/PSSSOP_Handbook_Version_12_Online_Feb_21_2012b.pdf | title=Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town) | publisher=Safety Codes Council | type=PDF | pages=212–215 (PDF pages 226–229) | date=January 2012 | access-date=October 8, 2013 | archive-date=October 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016085027/http://www.safetycodes.ab.ca/Public/Documents/PSSSOP_Handbook_Version_12_Online_Feb_21_2012b.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| elevation_m = 260
| postal_code_type = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation areas]]
| postal_code = [[List of T postal codes of Canada|T9H - T9K]]
| area_code = [[Area code 780|780]], [[Area codes 587 and 825|587, 825]], [[Area code 368|368]]
| blank_name = [[List of Alberta provincial highways|Highways]]
| blank_info = [[Alberta Highway 63|63]], [[Alberta Highway 69|69]]
| blank1_name = Waterways
| blank1_info = [[Athabasca River]], [[Clearwater River (Saskatchewan)|Clearwater River]], Hangingstone River, Horse River
| website = [https://www.rmwb.ca/ RM of Wood Buffalo]
| population_demonym = Fort McMurrayites
}}


'''Fort McMurray''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|k|'|m|ʌr|i}} {{respell|mək|MURR|ee}}) is an [[List of communities in Alberta#Urban service areas|urban service area]] in the [[Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo]] in [[Alberta]], Canada.<ref>{{AltaMC}}</ref><ref>{{AltaML}}</ref> It is located in [[Northern Alberta|northeast Alberta]], in the middle of the [[Athabasca oil sands]], surrounded by [[Taiga|boreal forest]]. It has played a significant role in the [[History of the petroleum industry in Canada (oil sands and heavy oil)|development of the national petroleum industry]]. The [[2016 Fort McMurray wildfire]] led to the [[Emergency evacuation|evacuation]] of its residents and caused widespread damage.
===Location===


Formerly a city, Fort McMurray became an urban service area when it amalgamated with Improvement District No. 143 on April 1, 1995, to create the Municipality of Wood Buffalo (renamed the RM of Wood Buffalo on August 14, 1996).<ref name=munihistory>{{cite web | url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/cfml/MunicipalProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=BasicReport&MunicipalityType=SMUN&stakeholder=508&profileType=HIST | publisher=Alberta Municipal Affairs | title=Location and History Profile – Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | date=February 2, 2010 | access-date=February 8, 2010}}</ref> Despite its current official designation of urban service area, many locals, politicians and the media still refer to Fort McMurray as a city. Fort McMurray was known simply as McMurray between 1947 and 1962.
Fort McMurray is located at 56&deg;40'N and 111&deg;40'W, 370 m above sea level. It is 435 km northeast of Edmonton on Highway 63, almost 100 km west of the [[Saskatchewan]] border, nestled in the boreal forest at the confluence of the [[Athabasca River]] and the [[Clearwater River, Canada| Clearwater River]].


===Population===
== History ==
{{See also|History of the petroleum industry in Canada (oil sands and heavy oil)}}
[[File:Clearwater River valley (from Highway 63).JPG|thumb|left|View of the [[Clearwater River (Saskatchewan)|Clearwater River]] valley from [[Alberta Highway 63|Highway 63]]]]
Before the arrival of Europeans in the late 18th century, the [[Cree]] were the dominant [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] people in the Fort McMurray area. The [[Athabasca oil sands]] were known to the locals and the surface deposits were used to waterproof their canoes. During the [[North American fur trade|fur trade]], the location of Fort McMurray, west of [[Methye Portage]], was an important junction on the fur trade route from eastern Canada to the [[Athabasca Country]].


In 1778, the first European explorer, [[Peter Pond]], came to the region in search of furs, as the European demand for this commodity at the time was strong. Pond explored the region farther south along the [[Athabasca River]] and the [[Clearwater River (Saskatchewan)|Clearwater River]], but chose to set up a [[trading post]] much farther north by the Athabasca River near [[Lake Athabasca]]. However, his post closed in 1788 in favour of [[Fort Chipewyan]], now the oldest continuous settlement in [[Alberta]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060909151603/http://collections.ic.gc.ca:80/fortmc/ The History of Fort McMurray]</ref>
The population of Wood Buffalo ([[2001]] [[census]]) is 41,466, with the majority of that located within the immediate area of Fort McMurray, which used to have city status but which incorporated into Wood Buffalo a few years ago.
[[File:William McMurray-edited.jpg|thumb|left|William McMurray for whom Fort McMurray is named]]
In 1790, the explorer [[Alexander Mackenzie (explorer)|Alexander MacKenzie]] made the first recorded description of the [[oil sands]]. By that time, trading between the explorers and the Cree was already occurring at the confluence of the Clearwater and Athabasca rivers. The [[Hudson's Bay Company]] and the [[North West Company]] were in fierce competition in this region. Fort McMurray was established there as a Hudson's Bay Company post by 1870, named for the Chief [[Factor (agent)|Factor]] William McMurray.<ref>{{cite web|author=Frits Pannekoek |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fort-mcmurray/ |title=Fort McMurray – The Canadian Encyclopedia |publisher=Thecanadianencyclopedia.ca |access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref> It continued to operate as a transportation stopover in the decades afterwards. The [[Northern Alberta Railways#Alberta and Great Waterways Railway|Alberta and Great Waterways Railway]] arrived in 1915 complementing existing steamboat service.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada|year=1915|publisher=Board of Trade|location=Fort McMurray|url=http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/loc_hist/page.aspx?id=328520|access-date=2016-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924062807/http://www.ourfutureourpast.ca/loc_hist/page.aspx?id=328520|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The community has played a significant role in the [[history of the petroleum industry in Canada]]. Oil exploration is known to have occurred in the early 20th century, but Fort McMurray's population remained small, no more than a few hundred people. By 1921, there was serious interest in developing a refining plant to separate the oil from the sands. [[Alcan]] Oil Company was the first outfit to begin bulk tests at Fort McMurray. The nearby community of [[Waterways, Alberta|Waterways]] was established to provide a southern terminus for waterborne transportation when the Alberta and Great Waterways Railway reached there in 1921.
===Climate===


[[History of the petroleum industry in Canada (oil sands and heavy oil)#Surface extraction|Abasands Oil]] was the first company to successfully extract oil from the oil sands through hot water extraction by the 1930s, but production was very low.<ref name="Abasand">{{cite web|last1=Alberta Culture and Tourism|title=Abasand|url=http://history.alberta.ca/energyheritage/sands/unlocking-the-potential/abasand/default.aspx#page-1}}</ref> Fort McMurray's processing output gradually grew to over 1,100 barrels/day by [[World War II]], and Fort McMurray was set up by the US and Canadian forces as staging ground for the [[Canol Project]].
The average temperature at Fort McMurray is -19.8&deg;C in January and +16.6&deg;C in July. Its annual rainfall amounts to 334.5 mm, its snowfall is 172.0 cm.


Fort McMurray and Waterways amalgamated as the village of McMurray (the "Fort" was dropped until 1962, when it was restored to reflect its heritage) by 1947, and became a town a year later. Fort McMurray was granted the status of new town so it could get more provincial funding. By 1966, the town's population was over 2,000.
===Economics===


In 1967, the [[Great Canadian Oil Sands]] (now [[Suncor Energy|Suncor]]) plant opened and Fort McMurray's growth soon took off. More oil sands plants were opened, especially after the [[1973 oil crisis]] and the [[1979 oil crisis|1979 energy crisis]], when serious political tensions and conflicts in the Middle East triggered oil price spikes. The population of the town reached 6,847 by 1971 and climbed to 31,000 by 1981, a year after its incorporation as a city.
Fort McMurray is considered the heart of one of Alberta's (and Canada's) major hubs of [[oil production]], located near the [[Athabasca Tar Sands]]. Besides the [[tar sands]], its industries rely on [[natural gas]] and [[pipeline]] sectors, [[forestry]] and [[tourism]].


The population peaked at almost 37,000 in 1985,<ref name="1985opl">{{cite web|title=1985 Official Population|url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/ms/1985population.pdf|access-date=February 3, 2011|publisher=Alberta Municipal Affairs}}</ref> then declined to under 34,000 by 1989.<ref name="1989opl">{{cite web|title=1989 Official Population|url=http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/ms/1989population.pdf|access-date=February 3, 2011|publisher=Alberta Municipal Affairs}}</ref> Low oil prices since the [[1980s oil glut|oil price collapse in 1986]] slowed the oil sands production greatly, as oil extraction from the oil sands is a very expensive process and lower world prices made this uneconomical.
===History===


On April 1, 1995, the City of Fort McMurray and Improvement District No. 143 were amalgamated to form the Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The new municipality was subsequently renamed the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo on August 14, 1996.<ref name=munihistory /> As a result, Fort McMurray was no longer officially designated a city. Instead, it was designated an urban service area within a [[List of specialized municipalities in Alberta|specialized municipality]]. The amalgamation resulted in the entire RM of Wood Buffalo being under a single government. Its municipal office is located in Fort McMurray, which accounts for the great majority of the RM's population; all but 5,000 of the RM's residents live in the Fort McMurray urban service area.
Fort Chipewyan is Alberta's oldest settled community. Over 200 years ago, [[Peter Pond]] and the voyageurs of the [[North West Company|Northwest Trading Company]] traveled this area in search of furs.


The city continued to grow for a few years even after the oil bust caused by the 2003 collapse in world oil prices. [[World oil market chronology from 2003#2003|Oil price increases since 2003]] made oil extraction profitable again for around a decade, until another [[World oil market chronology from 2003#2015|slump in oil prices]] which began in December 2014 and deepened in 2015 resulted in layoffs and postponement of projects.<ref name="NYT101215">{{cite news|author1=Ian Austen|title=Oil Sands Boom Dries Up in Alberta, Taking Thousands of Jobs With it|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/13/business/international/oil-sands-boom-dries-up-in-alberta-taking-thousands-of-jobs-with-it.html|access-date=October 13, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=October 12, 2015}}</ref>
===Municipality===
In addition to Fort McMurray, The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo consists of ten smaller communities: [[Anzac, Alberta| Anzac]], [[Draper, Alberta| Draper]], [[Fort Chipewyan]], [[Fort Fitzgerald]], [[Fort MacKay]], [[Gregoire Lake Estates]], [[Janvier]], [[Mariana Lakes]] and [[Saprae Creek Estates]].


In June 2013, heavy rains caused the [[Hangingstone River]] to flood, causing a six-day [[States of emergency in Canada|state of emergency]], a bridge collapse, the closure of highways [[Alberta Highway 63|63]] and [[Alberta Highway 881|881]], and the evacuation of 150 people.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Siekierska |first=Alicja |title=Fort Mac flood victims can apply for aid funds |url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/edmonton-journal/20130701/281676842493107 |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |date=2013-07-01 |access-date=2020-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Beamish |first=Laura |title=Province upholds more than $6.5 million in funding for Fort McMurray flood mitigation project |url=https://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/news/local-news/province-upholds-more-than-6-5-million-in-funding-for-fort-mcmurray-flood-mitigation-project/wcm/ba42d225-3d68-4b22-ae70-60c5c0655613 |newspaper=Owen Sound Sun Times |date=2019-11-12 |access-date=2020-07-26}}</ref>
[[Category:Alberta communities]]

[[de: Fort McMurray]]
=== May 2016 wildfire ===
{{Main|2016 Fort McMurray wildfire}}
On May 3, 2016, a large [[2016 Fort McMurray wildfire|wildfire burning southwest of Fort McMurray]] resulted in the mandatory evacuation of the community.<ref name="FMCCBC">{{cite news|title=Wildfire destroys Fort McMurray homes, most of city evacuated|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-mcmurray-fire-social-media-reflects-fear-worry-as-the-flames-enter-city-1.3564982|access-date=May 3, 2016|work=CBC News Edmonton|date=May 3, 2016}}</ref><ref name="largestAB">{{cite news|last1=Parsons|first1=Paige|title=Thousands flee from Fort McMurray wildfire in the largest fire evacuation in Alberta's history|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/fort-mcmurray-wildfire-pushed-back-even-as-temperatures-climb|access-date=May 3, 2016|agency=[[Edmonton Journal]]|publisher=[[Postmedia Network]]|date=May 3, 2016}}</ref> Record-breaking temperatures, reaching {{convert|32.8|C|0}},<ref name="Fort McMurray CS">{{cite web|url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?timeframe=2&Prov=AB&StationID=27216&dlyRange=1996-05-01%7C2016-05-03&Year=2016&Month=5&Day=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160506153357/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?timeframe=2&Prov=AB&StationID=27216&dlyRange=1996-05-01%7C2016-05-03&Year=2016&Month=5&Day=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2016|title=Daily Data Report for May 2016|access-date=May 6, 2016|publisher=[[Environment Canada]]|date=May 6, 2016}}</ref> low relative humidity and strong winds contributed to the fire's rapid growth<ref name="largestAB" /> in forests affected by "an unusually dry and warm winter".<ref name="New Yorker">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/fort-mcmurray-and-the-fires-of-climate-change
| title=Fort McMurray and the Fires of Climate Change | date=May 5, 2016 |magazine=The New Yorker }}</ref>

Upwards of 88,000 people in the community and surrounding region were evacuated.<ref name="BBCMay9">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36244499 Canada wildfire: 20% of Fort McMurray homes destroyed, says MP], BBC (May 8, 2016).</ref><ref name="Pestano">Andrew V. Pestano, [http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/05/09/Official-About-20-percent-of-Fort-McMurray-homes-destroyed-in-wildfire/4481462791376/ Official: About 20 percent of Fort McMurray homes destroyed in wildfire], UPI (May 9, 2016).</ref> It was Canada's largest recorded wildfire evacuation in history and third-largest recorded [[environmental disaster]] evacuation<ref>Angela Fritz, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/05/04/hot-dry-and-windy-weather-stokes-the-violent-alberta-wildfire/ Fort McMurray wildfire evacuation was largest on record in Canada], ''Washington Post'' (May 4, 2016).</ref> behind the [[1979 Mississauga train derailment]] and the [[1950 Red River flood]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/what-were-canadas-biggest-mass-evacuations/ | title=What were Canada's biggest mass evacuations? | author=Jaime Weinman | magazine=[[Maclean's]] | publisher=[[Rogers Media]] | date=May 4, 2016 | access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>

About one-fifth of homes in the community were reported to be destroyed in the fire.<ref name="BBCMay9"/><ref name="Pestano"/>

=== April 2020 flood ===
On April 27, 2020, massive [[ice jam]]s<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snowdon |first=Wallis |title=Military assistance requested as flooding hits downtown Fort McMurray |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-mcmurray-flooding-1.5546029 |publisher=CBC News |date=2020-04-27 |access-date=2020-07-26}}</ref> along the Athabasca River resulted in a major flood. It devastated the downtown of Fort McMurray, submerging streets and ruining businesses, cars and houses.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=McDermott |first1=Vincent |last2=Beamish |first2=Laura |title=Fort McMurray floods force 15,000 to flee; Premier Kenney pledges more police, flood mitigation supplies |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/boil-water-advisory-issued-north-of-athabasca-river-evacuation-orders-issued-for-parts-of-downtown/ |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |date=2020-04-28 |access-date=2020-04-27}}</ref>

Approximately 13,000 people from Fort McMurray and the surrounding area were evacuated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-mcmurray-wood-buffalo-flooding-1.5547546|title=Warmer weather only possible weapon against northern Alberta ice-jam flooding|last=Snowdon|first=Wallis|date=April 28, 2020 |website=CBC}}</ref>

=== May 2024 wildfire ===
{{Main|2024 Canada wildfires}}
On 14 May 2024, a wildfire led to the evacuation of several neighborhoods in the urban service area.<ref>{{cite web | last=Digital | first=GHD | title=Evacuation Order: Abasand, Beacon Hill, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace move to evacuation order | website=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | date=2024-05-15 | url=https://www.rmwb.ca/en/news/evacuation-order-abasand-beacon-hill-prairie-creek-and-grayling-terrace-move-to-evacuation-order.aspx | access-date=2024-05-16}}</ref>

The evacuation displaced upwards of 6,000 people from their homes in these neighborhoods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paget |first=Elizabeth Wolfe, Joe Sutton, Sharif |date=2024-05-15 |title=Unwieldy wildfires scorch Canada and threaten a community scarred by past catastrophe |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/15/weather/canada-wildfires-fort-mcmurray-climate-wednesday/index.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Fort mcmurray winter day.jpg|left|thumb|Vista Ridge, a local ski hill]]
Fort McMurray is {{convert|435|km|abbr=on}} northeast of [[Edmonton]] on [[Alberta Highway 63|Highway 63]], about {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} west of the [[Saskatchewan]] border, nestled in the [[Taiga|boreal forest]] at the confluence of the [[Athabasca River]], the [[Clearwater River (Saskatchewan)|Clearwater River]], the Hangingstone River, and the Horse River. It sits at {{convert|370|m|abbr=on}} above sea level. Fort McMurray is the largest community in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

[[Picea glauca|White spruce]], [[Populus tremuloides|trembling aspen]], [[Populus balsamifera|balsam poplar]] and [[Betula papyrifera|white birch]] are the most prominent native trees in and around town. [[Picea mariana|Black spruce]] and [[Larix laricina|tamarack]] occur in poorly drained areas and [[jack pine]] may be seen on the driest sites. [[Populus tremula|European aspen]], [[blue spruce]] and [[Prunus pumila|sand cherry]] are among the exotic trees occasionally seen.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

=== Climate ===
With severe winters except during periods of warming [[chinook wind]]s, mild to warm summers and only three months which average temperature is higher than {{convert|10.0|C}}, Fort McMurray has a borderline [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfc''), being just below the threshold of [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfb''), with May and September average temperature of {{convert|9.9|C}}. It falls into the [[Natural Resources Canada]] (NRC) [[Hardiness zone|Plant Hardiness Zone]] 3a.<ref name="Canadian Plant Hardiness Zones">{{cite web|title=Plant Hardiness Zone by Municipality|url=http://www.planthardiness.gc.ca/?m=22&lang=en&prov=Alberta&val=F|website=Natural Resources Canada|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=May 7, 2016}}</ref>

The community lies at a lower elevation than most other parts of Alberta, so under the right conditions it can be a "hot spot" for Alberta.{{Citation needed|date=May 2016}}

Temperatures range from an average of {{convert|-17.2|C}} in January, to {{convert|17.3|C}} in July. The average annual precipitation is {{convert|404.6|mm|abbr=on}} and falls mainly in the summer months. Average annual snowfall is {{convert|110.6|cm|abbr=on}},<ref name=CCNYMM /> with almost all of it falling between October and April.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Fort McMurray was {{convert|40.3|C}} on June 30, 2021.<ref name="Hit40">{{cite web |title=Daily Data Report for June 2021 - FORT MCMURRAY A| date=October 31, 2011 |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?StationID=49490&Month=6&Day=1&Year=2021&timeframe=2&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2021}}
</ref> The lowest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-53.3|C}} on February 1, 1917 and December 31, 1933.<ref name="February 1917"/><ref name="December 1933"/>

{{Fort McMurray weatherbox}}

=== Neighbourhoods ===
Neighbourhoods in Fort McMurray include Abasand Heights, Beacon Hill, Dickinsfield, Eagle Ridge, Grayling Terrace, Gregoire, Lower Townsite, Parsons Creek, Prairie Creek, Saline Creek, Stone Creek, Thickwood Heights, Timberlea, and [[Waterways, Alberta|Waterways]].<ref name=2012census>{{cite web | url=http://www.rmwb.ca/Assets/Corporate/Census+Reports/Census+reports+Part+1.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045554/http://www.rmwb.ca/Assets/Corporate/Census+Reports/Census+reports+Part+1.pdf | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | publisher=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | title=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Municipal Census 2012 | date=October 2012 | access-date=December 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=2015census>{{cite web | url=https://www.rmwb.ca/Assets/Corporate/Census+Reports/Municipal+Census+2015+Report.pdf | publisher=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | title=The Municipal Census 2015 Report | date=2015 | access-date=June 22, 2017 | archive-date=March 5, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305020544/http://www.rmwb.ca/Assets/Corporate/Census+Reports/Municipal+Census+2015+Report.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
[[File:Fort mcmurray jubilee centre.jpg|left|thumb|Jubilee Centre (municipal office)]]
{{Historical populations
|title = Federal census<br/>population history
|type = Canada
|align = right
|width =
|state =
|shading =
|percentages =
|footnote = ''Source: [[Statistics Canada]]''<br /><ref name=1951census>{{cite book | title=Ninth Census of Canada, 1951 | volume=I: Population, General Characteristics | year=1953 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada|Dominion Bureau of Statistics]] | location=Ottawa | page=6.73–6.83 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1871–1951}}</ref><ref name=1956census>{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1956 | volume=Population, Counties and Subdivisions | year=1957 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada|Dominion Bureau of Statistics]] | location=Ottawa | page=6.50–6.53 | chapter=Table 6: Population by sex, for census subdivisions, 1956 and 1951}}</ref><ref name=1961census>{{cite book | title=1961 Census of Canada | series=Series 1.1: Historical, 1901–1961 | volume=I: Population | year=1963 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada|Dominion Bureau of Statistics]] | location=Ottawa | page=6.77-6.83 | chapter=Table 6: Population by census subdivisions, 1901–1961}}</ref><ref name=1966census>{{cite book | title=Census of Canada, 1966 | volume=Population, Specified Age Groups and Sex for Counties and Census Subdivisions, 1966 | year=1968 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada|Dominion Bureau of Statistics]] | location=Ottawa | page=6.50–6.53 | chapter=Population by specified age groups and sex, for census subdivisions, 1966}}</ref><ref name=1971census>{{cite book | title=1971 Census of Canada | volume=I: Population, Census Subdivisions (Historical) | year=1973 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | page=2.102-2.111 | chapter=Table 2: Population of Census Subdivisions, 1921–1971}}</ref><ref name=1976census>{{cite book | title=1976 Census of Canada | series=Census Divisions and Subdivisions, Western Provinces and the Territories | volume=I: Population, Geographic Distributions | year=1977 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | page=3.40–3.43| chapter=Table 3: Population for census divisions and subdivisions, 1971 and 1976}}</ref><ref name=1981census>{{cite book | title=1981 Census of Canada | volume=II: Provincial series, Population, Geographic distributions (Alberta) | year=1982 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | page=4.1–4.10| chapter=Table 4: Population and Total Occupied Dwellings, for Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1976 and 1981 | isbn=0-660-51095-2}}</ref><br /><ref name=1986census>{{cite book | title=Census Canada 1986 | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Provinces and Territories (Alberta) | year=1987 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | page=2.1–2.10 | chapter=Table 2: Census Divisions and Subdivisions – Population and Occupied Private Dwellings, 1981 and 1986 | isbn=0-660-53463-0}}</ref><ref name=1991census>{{cite book | title=91 Census | volume=Population and Dwelling Counts – Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions | year=1992 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | pages=100–108 | chapter=Table 2: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 and 1991 – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-57115-3}}</ref><ref name=1996census>{{cite book | title=96 Census | volume=A National Overview – Population and Dwelling Counts | year=1997 | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | location=Ottawa | pages=184–198 | chapter=Table 16: Population and Dwelling Counts, for Urban Areas, 1991 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data | isbn=0-660-59283-5}}</ref><ref name=2001census>{{cite web | title=Population and Dwelling Counts and Population Rank, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Urban Areas, 2001 Census – 100% Data (Alberta) | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-UA-P.cfm?T=1&PR=48&SR=101&S=1&O=A | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | page=5 of 5 | access-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref><ref name=statcan2006ua>{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=802&SR=1&S=3&O=D&RPP=9999&PR=48&CMA=0|title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and urban areas, 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data|publisher=Statistics Canada|date=January 6, 2010|access-date=February 2, 2011}}</ref><ref name="2011censusprofile">{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0292&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Fort%20McMurray&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 | title=Census Profile – Fort McMurray, Alberta (Population Centre) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 8, 2012 | access-date=February 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name=2016censusprofile>{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0292&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Fort%20McMurray&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=0292&TABID=1 | access-date=November 2, 2017 | title= Census Profile, 2016 census}}</ref>
|[[Canada 1951 Census|1951]]|926
|1956|1110
|1961|1186
|1966|2614
|1971|6847
|1976|15424
|[[Canada 1981 Census|1981]]|31000
|[[Canada 1986 Census|1986]]|34949
|[[Canada 1991 Census|1991]]|34706
|[[Canada 1996 Census|1996]]|33078
|[[Canada 2001 Census|2001]]|38667
|[[Canada 2006 Census|2006]]|47705
|[[Canada 2011 Census|2011]]|61374
|[[Canada 2016 Census|2016]]|66573
|[[2021 Canadian census|2021]]|68002
}}

=== Federal census ===
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]], the Fort McMurray [[Population centre (Canada)|population centre]] recorded {{nts|68002}} residents living in {{nts|24505}} of its {{nts|28670}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:68002-67123}}|67123|1}} from its 2016 population of {{nts|67123}}. With a land area of {{convert|52.17|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|68002|52.17|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810001101 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=February 10, 2022}}</ref>

In the [[Canada 2016 Census|2016 census]], the Fort McMurray population centre recorded 66,573 residents living in 23,937 of its 28,567 total private dwellings, a {{percentage|{{#expr:66573-60555}}|60555|1}} change from its 2011 population of 60,555. With a land area of {{convert|51.79|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|66573|51.79|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2016.<ref name=2016census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0292&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&SearchText=Fort%20McMurray&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=0292&TABID=1&type=0 | title=Census Profile, 2016 Census – Fort McMurray [Population centre], Alberta and Alberta [Province] | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=August 9, 2019 | access-date=May 1, 2021}}</ref>

=== Municipal census ===
The permanent population of the Fort McMurray urban service area according to the RM of Wood Buffalo's [[2021 Alberta municipal censuses|2021 municipal census]] is 72,917,<ref name=2021municipalcensus>{{Cite web |date=April 22, 2022 |title=Municipal Census Report - Census 2021 |url=https://www.rmwb.ca/en/permits-and-development/resources/Documents/Census/Census-Report-2021.pdf |website=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo}}</ref> a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:72917-72056}}|72056|1}} from its [[2018 Alberta municipal censuses|2018 municipal census]] permanent population of 72,056.<ref name=2018census>{{cite web | url=https://www.rmwb.ca/en/permits-and-development/resources/Documents/Latest-Census-Report-2018.pdf | title=census2018: Municipal Census Report | publisher=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | year=2018 | access-date=May 1, 2021}}</ref> In addition, the 2021 municipal census counted a shadow population of 3,089 non-permanent residents for a combined population of 76,006,<ref name=2021municipalcensus/> while the 2018 municipal census counted 3,559 non-permanent residents for a combined population of 75,615.<ref name=2018census/>

=== Migration ===
Fort McMurray is an increasingly [[Multiculturalism in Canada|multicultural]] community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beamish |first=Laura |date=May 17, 2022 |title=Municipal census shows Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo becoming an increasingly multicultural region |url=https://fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/municipal-census-shows-fort-mcmurray-wood-buffalo-becoming-an-increasingly-multicultural-region |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=Fort McMurray Today |language=en-CA}}</ref> The 2021 census published by the [[Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo]] found roughly 6,700 people moved to the region since the 2018 census.

The top four provinces that sent people were other communities in [[Alberta]] (55 per cent), followed by [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] (13 percent), and [[British Columbia]] and [[Ontario]] (nine percent each).<ref name=2021municipalcensus/>

This is a drastic change from the 2012 municipal census, which was taken when Fort McMurray and the oil sands was undergoing a huge period of economic and population growth. That census reported people from Ontario represented 27.5 percent of Canadians coming to Fort McMurray, followed by British Columbia (26.3 percent) and Newfoundland and Labrador (17.5 percent). People from elsewhere in Alberta made up 3.1 per cent of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Municipal Census 2012 |url=https://www.rmwb.ca/en/permits-and-development/resources/Documents/Census/Census-2012-migration.pdf |access-date=July 20, 2022 |website=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo}}</ref>

=== Ethnicity ===
The 2021 census found 61.5 percent of residents are white, compared to 64 percent in 2016.<ref name="2021censusB"/> The second largest pan ethnic group is Indigenous (10 percent), [[Southeast Asia|South East Asian]] (9.2 percent), followed by [[South Asia]]n (7 percent).<ref name="2021censusB"/> People identifying as [[Chinese people|Chinese]], [[Japanese people|Japanese]] or [[Koreans|Korean]] represented 1.3 percent of the population.<ref name="2021censusB"/>

[[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous peoples]] represented 7 percent, remaining consistent from 2018. The municipal survey did not count the population of the region's [[Indian reserve|First Nation reserves]] because they do not fall under municipal jurisdiction. [[First Nations in Alberta|First Nations people]] represent four percent of the municipality's population. [[Métis in Alberta|Métis people]] represent 2.89 percent of the population, followed by [[Inuit|Inuk]] (0.16 percent) and non-Status First Nation (0.13 percent).

About 3.2 percent of people identified as [[Black Canadians|African]], followed by [[Multiracial people|mixed ethnicities]] (2.44 percent), [[Black Canadians|Black or African Canadian]] (2 percent), [[European Canadians|European]] (1.73 percent), [[Arab Canadians|Arab]] (1.41 percent), [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latin American]] (1.08 percent), [[Caribbean people|Caribbean]] (0.67 percent) and [[Oceania|Oceanic]] (0.13 percent).

2.88 percent of respondents did not answer and 0.52 said they did not know their ethnicity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDermott |first=Vincent |date=April 25, 2022 |title=RMWB's 2021 census shows more people settling as population shrinks, becomes increasingly multicultural |url=https://fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/rmwbs-2021-census-shows-more-people-settling-as-population-shrinks-becomes-increasingly-multicultural |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=Fort McMurray Today |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=2021municipalcensus/>

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in Fort McMurray (2016−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Fort%20McMurray&DGUIDlist=2021S05100292&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0292&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&SearchText=Fort%20McMurray&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name=euro}}
| 41,705
| {{Percentage | 41705 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 42,495
| {{Percentage | 42495 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 6,755
| {{Percentage | 6755 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 5,195
| {{Percentage | 5195 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia|Southeast Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name=SoutheastAsian}}
| 6,240
| {{Percentage | 6240 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 5,295
| {{Percentage | 5295 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 4,755
| {{Percentage | 4755 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 4,785
| {{Percentage | 4785 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 4,685
| {{Percentage | 4685 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 4,110
| {{Percentage | 4110 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name=MiddleEastern}}
| 1,500
| {{Percentage | 1500 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 1,935
| {{Percentage | 1935 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name=EastAsian}}
| 850
| {{Percentage | 850 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 1,250
| {{Percentage | 1250 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 635
| {{Percentage | 635 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 925
| {{Percentage | 925 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
| Other/[[Multiracial people|multiracial]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name=Other}}
| 650
| {{Percentage | 650 | 67780 | 2 }}
| 405
| {{Percentage | 405 | 66385 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 67,780
! {{Percentage | 67780 | 68002 | 2 }}
! 66,385
! {{Percentage | 66385 | 67123 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total population
! 68,002
! {{Percentage | 68002 | 68002 | 2 }}
! 67,123
! {{Percentage | 67123 | 67123 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="5" | {{small|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses}}
|}

== Economy ==
Fort McMurray is considered the heart of one of Alberta's (and Canada's) hubs of [[petroleum]] production, located near the [[Athabasca oil sands]]. Besides the [[oil sands]], the economy also relies on [[natural gas]] and [[pipeline transport]], forestry and tourism. Oil sands producers include [[Syncrude]], [[Suncor Energy]], [[Canadian Natural Resources]], and [[CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC]]. Fort McMurray's growth is characteristic of a [[boomtown]]. Housing prices and rents are far higher in Fort McMurray than most such remote areas, and in 2006, Fort McMurray had the highest prices in Alberta.<ref name="cry_enough">{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=07e553a7-1cc6-442d-81be-afeccd4c85df|title=Fort Mac right to cry 'Enough!'|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325131522/http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=07e553a7-1cc6-442d-81be-afeccd4c85df|archive-date=March 25, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The [[Politics of Alberta|Alberta government]] has promised to release more [[Crown land]] for residential construction, particularly in Timberlea on the north side.<!--
== Arts and culture ==
== Attractions ==
== Sports ==
== Government ==
-->

== Infrastructure ==

[[File:Fort mcmurray float plane at syne.jpg|thumb|Float plane taking off at the Snye]]
[[File:Fort mcmurray hwy 63.jpg|thumb|Looking north on [[Alberta Highway 63|Highway 63]]]]

===Air===
{{See also|List of airports in the Fort McMurray area}}
There are [[List of airports in the Fort McMurray area|several airports in the area]], with [[Fort McMurray International Airport]] being the largest in [[northern Alberta]]. It is serviced by [[Air Canada]], [[Air Canada Express]], [[McMurray Aviation]], [[Northwestern Air]], [[WestJet]] and [[WestJet Encore]], with scheduled flights to [[Calgary]], [[Edmonton]], [[Fort Chipewyan]], [[Fort Smith, Northwest Territories|Fort Smith]], [[Montreal]] and [[Toronto]]. The airport is also serviced by various oil companies with corporate and charter flights heading north to private airstrips at oil sands operations. Flights are frequently booked to capacity because of the high transient worker population and workers who commute to Fort McMurray from other parts of Canada.

===Public transit===
[[Fort McMurray Transit]] operates in the community, with routes that extend to all subdivisions on the south side and subdivisions on the north side.<ref>[https://www.rmwb.ca/en/transit/transit.aspx Transit]</ref> Although the service concentrates on Fort McMurray it does operate to hamlets in the RM including [[Anzac, Alberta|Anzac]], [[Janvier South|Janvier]], [[Conklin, Alberta|Conklin]] and [[Fort McKay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rmwb.ca/en/transit/rural-bus-schedules-and-fees.aspx |title=Rural Bus Schedules and Fees|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref>

====Bus====
[[Ebus (intercity bus)|Ebus]] and [[Red Arrow Motorcoach|Red Arrow]] operate scheduled passenger bus services to Edmonton and other communities along [[Alberta Highway 63|Highway 63]], as well as other destinations farther south.

===Highways and roads===
Highway 63 is the only highway between Fort McMurray and [[Edmonton]]. Due to the industrial demands of the oilsands, Highway 63 boasts some of the highest tonnage per kilometre in Canada, and the largest and heaviest loads that trucks have ever carried. Highway 63 was fully twinned in May 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Highway 63 Alberta Transportation|url=https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/4942.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602103626/https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/4942.htm|archive-date=2 June 2016}}</ref> [[Alberta Highway 881|Highway 881]] also provides access to the region from [[Lac La Biche, Alberta|Lac La Biche]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Fort McMurray Tourism|url=http://www.fortmcmurraytourism.com/|title=Fort McMurray Tourism|access-date=January 30, 2008|archive-date=February 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212110534/http://www.fortmcmurraytourism.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Rail===
[[Canadian National Railway]] (CN) discontinued the ''Muskeg Mixed'' ([[mixed train]]) to Fort McMurray in 1989, and there has been no passenger rail service since. CN continues to operate freight service on its Lac La Biche subdivision and stations beyond.

===Mail===
[[Canada Post]] identified Fort McMurray as "having a particularly high cost to serve" in January 2014, and planned to institute a surcharge of $5.00 for all parcels shipped to the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/assets/pdf/business/parcels_changes_2014_en.pdf|title=Parcel Services Price and Service Overview of Changes |publisher=Canada Post|access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> However, the postal service retracted this decision before the rate change went into effect.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/canada-post-cancels-parcel-surcharge-in-fort-mcmurray-1.2494669|title=Canada Post cancels parcel surcharge in Fort McMurray
|publisher=CBC|access-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref>

== Education ==
[[File:Fort mcmurray timberlea public school.jpg|thumb|Timberlea Public School (elementary)]]
The [[Fort McMurray Public School District]] (FMPSD) and [[Fort McMurray Catholic School District|Catholic School District]] both serve the primary, elementary, and secondary education needs of students in Fort McMurray. Each school district offers diverse programs like [[French immersion]], performing arts or a dedicated technology and science lab, however only FMPSD offers the [[Advanced Placement]] program at one of their schools, being [[Westwood Community High School]].

On Abasand Drive, [[Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2|École Boréal]] is the only [[Canadian French|francophone]] school in the area and goes from pre-kindergarten to grade 12.

[[Keyano College]] is a publicly funded college and vocational institute based in the area and plays a role in training workers for the oil sands. Known as the cultural hub of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Keyano College contains both a state-of-the-art theatre and recital hall, hosting a variety of musical and theatrical events that attract upwards of 50,000 visitors each season.

== Sports and recreation ==

Local teams include the [[Fort McMurray Oil Barons]] of the [[Alberta Junior Hockey League]] (AJHL), the [[Fort McMurray Giants]] of the [[Western Canadian Baseball League]] (WCBL), and the [[Keyano College|Keyano Huskies]] of the [[Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference]] (ACAC).

The MacDonald Island Park recreation centre is located on MacDonald Island north-east of downtown. The centre contains the Wood Buffalo Regional Library, indoor water park, basketball, tennis and squash courts, rock climbing, fitness centre, indoor playground, ice rinks and public rental space. Shell Place, a connected recreational facility, and a seasonal golf course surround the centre. [[Fort McMurray Knights RFC|Fort McMurray Knights Rugby Football Club]] is also based in the town.
[[File:MacDonald Island Park (27107873560).jpg|thumb|MacDonald Island Park]]

== Notable people ==
*[[Tantoo Cardinal]], actress
*[[Mikael Colville-Andersen]], urban designer
*[[Mark Hartigan]], professional [[Ice hockey|hockey]] player
*[[Natasha Henstridge]], actress
*[[Aaron Lines]], musician
*[[Cassandra Naud]], actress and dancer<ref>{{Cite web |last=Volmers |first=Eric |date=June 9, 2023 |title=Calgarian's horror film Influencer a cautionary tale about online manipulation |url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/movies/calgarians-horror-film-infuencer-a-cautionary-tale-about-online-manipulation |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=[[Calgary Herald]]}}</ref>
*[[Kudakwashe Rutendo]], actress<ref>Radheyan Simonpillai, [https://www.cbc.ca/arts/rising-stars-kudakwashe-rutendo-backspot-1.6959481 "Kudakwashe Rutendo is making a handspring into the spotlight with the cheerleading drama Backspot"]. [[CBC Arts]], September 7, 2023.</ref>
*[[Daniel Sunderland]], Olympic bobsleigher
*[[Brooke Voigt]], Olympic snowboarder
*[[Massey Whiteknife]], business executive and musician
*[[Chris Phillips]], professional hockey player
* [[Carter Yakemchuk]] (born 2005), ice hockey player, picked 7th overall in [[2024 NHL entry draft|2024 NHL draft]] by [[Ottawa Senators]]

== See also ==
*[[List of former urban municipalities in Alberta]]
*[[Media in Fort McMurray]]
*[[Petrolia, Ontario]], Canada's first oil town
*[[Shell Place]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons|Fort McMurray, Alberta}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline|Fort McMurray}}
* [https://www.rmwb.ca/ Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo]

{{Geographic location
|Centre =Fort McMurray
|North =[[Fort McKay]]
|Northeast=
|East =[[La Loche]]
|Southeast=[[Cold Lake, Alberta|Cold Lake]]
|South =[[Lac La Biche, Alberta|Lac La Biche]]
|Southwest=[[Athabasca, Alberta|Athabasca]]
|West =[[Wabasca, Alberta|Wabasca]]
|Northwest=[[Wood Buffalo National Park]]
}}
{{Subdivisions of Alberta}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fort McMurray| ]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Alberta]]
[[Category:Cities in Alberta]]
[[Category:Former new towns in Alberta]]
[[Category:Hudson's Bay Company forts]]
[[Category:Mining communities in Alberta]]
[[Category:Populated places disestablished in 1995]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1870]]
[[Category:Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo]]
[[Category:Urban service areas in Alberta]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in the British Empire]]

Latest revision as of 00:35, 20 December 2024

For the First Nation, see Fort McMurray First Nation.

Fort McMurray
McMurray (1947–1962)
Urban service area (hamlet)
Fort McMurray Urban Service Area
Aerial view of Fort McMurray with Athabasca River
Aerial view of Fort McMurray with Athabasca River
Nicknames: 
"Fort Mac",[1][2] "Fort McMoney"[3]
Motto: 
We Have The Energy
Fort McMurray is located in Alberta
Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray is located in Canada
Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray is located in Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray
Coordinates: 56°43′35″N 111°22′49″W / 56.72639°N 111.38028°W / 56.72639; -111.38028
CountryCanada
ProvinceAlberta
RegionNorthern Alberta
Census division16
Specialized municipalityRM of Wood Buffalo
Founded1870
Incorporated[4][5] 
 • VillageMay 6, 1947
 • TownDecember 29, 1948
 • New townJune 30, 1964
 • CitySeptember 1, 1980
Name changed[4]June 1, 1962
Amalgamated[5]April 1, 1995[6]
Government
[7]
 • MayorSandy Bowman
 • Governing body
Wood Buffalo Municipal Council
  • Ken Ball
  • Funky Banjoko
  • Lance Bussieres
  • M. Shafiq Dogar
  • Allan Grandison
  • Nicholas Keith McGrath
  • Kendrick Cardinal
  • Loretta Waquan
  • Stu Wigle
  • Jane Stroud
 • MPLaila Goodridge (CPC)
 • MLA
Area
 (2021)
 • Urban
52.17 km2 (20.14 sq mi)
Elevation
[8]
260 m (850 ft)
Population
 (2021)[6]
 • Urban
68,002
 • Urban density1,303.5/km2 (3,376/sq mi)
 • Municipal census (2021)
72,917[9]
 See Demographics section for population counts from RM of Wood Buffalo's recent municipal censuses.
DemonymFort McMurrayites
Time zoneUTC−07:00 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−06:00 (MDT)
Forward sortation areas
T9H - T9K
Area code(s)780, 587, 825, 368
Highways63, 69
WaterwaysAthabasca River, Clearwater River, Hangingstone River, Horse River
WebsiteRM of Wood Buffalo

Fort McMurray (/məkˈmʌri/ mək-MURR-ee) is an urban service area in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Alberta, Canada.[10][11] It is located in northeast Alberta, in the middle of the Athabasca oil sands, surrounded by boreal forest. It has played a significant role in the development of the national petroleum industry. The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire led to the evacuation of its residents and caused widespread damage.

Formerly a city, Fort McMurray became an urban service area when it amalgamated with Improvement District No. 143 on April 1, 1995, to create the Municipality of Wood Buffalo (renamed the RM of Wood Buffalo on August 14, 1996).[12] Despite its current official designation of urban service area, many locals, politicians and the media still refer to Fort McMurray as a city. Fort McMurray was known simply as McMurray between 1947 and 1962.

History

[edit]
See also: History of the petroleum industry in Canada (oil sands and heavy oil)
View of the Clearwater River valley from Highway 63

Before the arrival of Europeans in the late 18th century, the Cree were the dominant First Nations people in the Fort McMurray area. The Athabasca oil sands were known to the locals and the surface deposits were used to waterproof their canoes. During the fur trade, the location of Fort McMurray, west of Methye Portage, was an important junction on the fur trade route from eastern Canada to the Athabasca Country.

In 1778, the first European explorer, Peter Pond, came to the region in search of furs, as the European demand for this commodity at the time was strong. Pond explored the region farther south along the Athabasca River and the Clearwater River, but chose to set up a trading post much farther north by the Athabasca River near Lake Athabasca. However, his post closed in 1788 in favour of Fort Chipewyan, now the oldest continuous settlement in Alberta.[13]

William McMurray for whom Fort McMurray is named

In 1790, the explorer Alexander MacKenzie made the first recorded description of the oil sands. By that time, trading between the explorers and the Cree was already occurring at the confluence of the Clearwater and Athabasca rivers. The Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company were in fierce competition in this region. Fort McMurray was established there as a Hudson's Bay Company post by 1870, named for the Chief Factor William McMurray.[14] It continued to operate as a transportation stopover in the decades afterwards. The Alberta and Great Waterways Railway arrived in 1915 complementing existing steamboat service.[15]

The community has played a significant role in the history of the petroleum industry in Canada. Oil exploration is known to have occurred in the early 20th century, but Fort McMurray's population remained small, no more than a few hundred people. By 1921, there was serious interest in developing a refining plant to separate the oil from the sands. Alcan Oil Company was the first outfit to begin bulk tests at Fort McMurray. The nearby community of Waterways was established to provide a southern terminus for waterborne transportation when the Alberta and Great Waterways Railway reached there in 1921.

Abasands Oil was the first company to successfully extract oil from the oil sands through hot water extraction by the 1930s, but production was very low.[16] Fort McMurray's processing output gradually grew to over 1,100 barrels/day by World War II, and Fort McMurray was set up by the US and Canadian forces as staging ground for the Canol Project.

Fort McMurray and Waterways amalgamated as the village of McMurray (the "Fort" was dropped until 1962, when it was restored to reflect its heritage) by 1947, and became a town a year later. Fort McMurray was granted the status of new town so it could get more provincial funding. By 1966, the town's population was over 2,000.

In 1967, the Great Canadian Oil Sands (now Suncor) plant opened and Fort McMurray's growth soon took off. More oil sands plants were opened, especially after the 1973 oil crisis and the 1979 energy crisis, when serious political tensions and conflicts in the Middle East triggered oil price spikes. The population of the town reached 6,847 by 1971 and climbed to 31,000 by 1981, a year after its incorporation as a city.

The population peaked at almost 37,000 in 1985,[17] then declined to under 34,000 by 1989.[18] Low oil prices since the oil price collapse in 1986 slowed the oil sands production greatly, as oil extraction from the oil sands is a very expensive process and lower world prices made this uneconomical.

On April 1, 1995, the City of Fort McMurray and Improvement District No. 143 were amalgamated to form the Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The new municipality was subsequently renamed the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo on August 14, 1996.[12] As a result, Fort McMurray was no longer officially designated a city. Instead, it was designated an urban service area within a specialized municipality. The amalgamation resulted in the entire RM of Wood Buffalo being under a single government. Its municipal office is located in Fort McMurray, which accounts for the great majority of the RM's population; all but 5,000 of the RM's residents live in the Fort McMurray urban service area.

The city continued to grow for a few years even after the oil bust caused by the 2003 collapse in world oil prices. Oil price increases since 2003 made oil extraction profitable again for around a decade, until another slump in oil prices which began in December 2014 and deepened in 2015 resulted in layoffs and postponement of projects.[19]

In June 2013, heavy rains caused the Hangingstone River to flood, causing a six-day state of emergency, a bridge collapse, the closure of highways 63 and 881, and the evacuation of 150 people.[20][21]

May 2016 wildfire

[edit]
Main article: 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire

On May 3, 2016, a large wildfire burning southwest of Fort McMurray resulted in the mandatory evacuation of the community.[22][23] Record-breaking temperatures, reaching 32.8 °C (91 °F),[24] low relative humidity and strong winds contributed to the fire's rapid growth[23] in forests affected by "an unusually dry and warm winter".[25]

Upwards of 88,000 people in the community and surrounding region were evacuated.[26][27] It was Canada's largest recorded wildfire evacuation in history and third-largest recorded environmental disaster evacuation[28] behind the 1979 Mississauga train derailment and the 1950 Red River flood.[29]

About one-fifth of homes in the community were reported to be destroyed in the fire.[26][27]

April 2020 flood

[edit]

On April 27, 2020, massive ice jams[30] along the Athabasca River resulted in a major flood. It devastated the downtown of Fort McMurray, submerging streets and ruining businesses, cars and houses.[31]

Approximately 13,000 people from Fort McMurray and the surrounding area were evacuated.[32]

May 2024 wildfire

[edit]
Main article: 2024 Canada wildfires

On 14 May 2024, a wildfire led to the evacuation of several neighborhoods in the urban service area.[33]

The evacuation displaced upwards of 6,000 people from their homes in these neighborhoods.[34]

Geography

[edit]
Vista Ridge, a local ski hill

Fort McMurray is 435 km (270 mi) northeast of Edmonton on Highway 63, about 60 km (37 mi) west of the Saskatchewan border, nestled in the boreal forest at the confluence of the Athabasca River, the Clearwater River, the Hangingstone River, and the Horse River. It sits at 370 m (1,210 ft) above sea level. Fort McMurray is the largest community in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

White spruce, trembling aspen, balsam poplar and white birch are the most prominent native trees in and around town. Black spruce and tamarack occur in poorly drained areas and jack pine may be seen on the driest sites. European aspen, blue spruce and sand cherry are among the exotic trees occasionally seen.[citation needed]

Climate

[edit]

With severe winters except during periods of warming chinook winds, mild to warm summers and only three months which average temperature is higher than 10.0 °C (50.0 °F), Fort McMurray has a borderline subarctic climate (Köppen: Dfc), being just below the threshold of humid continental climate (Dfb), with May and September average temperature of 9.9 °C (49.8 °F). It falls into the Natural Resources Canada (NRC) Plant Hardiness Zone 3a.[35]

The community lies at a lower elevation than most other parts of Alberta, so under the right conditions it can be a "hot spot" for Alberta.[citation needed]

Temperatures range from an average of −17.2 °C (1.0 °F) in January, to 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) in July. The average annual precipitation is 404.6 mm (15.93 in) and falls mainly in the summer months. Average annual snowfall is 110.6 cm (43.5 in),[36] with almost all of it falling between October and April.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Fort McMurray was 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) on June 30, 2021.[37] The lowest temperature ever recorded was −53.3 °C (−63.9 °F) on February 1, 1917 and December 31, 1933.[38][39]

Climate data for Fort McMurray (Fort McMurray International Airport)
Climate ID: 3062693; coordinates 56°39′N 111°13′W / 56.650°N 111.217°W / 56.650; -111.217 (Fort McMurray Airport); elevation: 369.1 m (1,211 ft); 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1908−present[a]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 14.6 13.4 19.8 30.4 35.6 38.3 45.6 40.5 33.7 28.4 15.5 10.4 45.6
Record high °C (°F) 15.1
(59.2) 		16.1
(61.0) 		20.1
(68.2) 		35.0
(95.0) 		36.7
(98.1) 		40.3
(104.5) 		38.9
(102.0) 		37.0
(98.6) 		32.4
(90.3) 		29.4
(84.9) 		18.9
(66.0) 		10.7
(51.3) 		40.3
(104.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −11.9
(10.6) 		−7.3
(18.9) 		0.1
(32.2) 		9.3
(48.7) 		17.2
(63.0) 		21.7
(71.1) 		23.9
(75.0) 		22.2
(72.0) 		16.2
(61.2) 		7.3
(45.1) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		−9.9
(14.2) 		7.1
(44.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −17.2
(1.0) 		−13.6
(7.5) 		−6.7
(19.9) 		2.7
(36.9) 		9.9
(49.8) 		14.9
(58.8) 		17.3
(63.1) 		15.6
(60.1) 		9.9
(49.8) 		2.4
(36.3) 		−7.6
(18.3) 		−14.8
(5.4) 		1.1
(34.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −22.3
(−8.1) 		−19.9
(−3.8) 		−13.5
(7.7) 		−3.9
(25.0) 		2.6
(36.7) 		8.0
(46.4) 		10.6
(51.1) 		8.8
(47.8) 		3.5
(38.3) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		−11.9
(10.6) 		−19.6
(−3.3) 		−5.0
(23.0)
Record low °C (°F) −51.7
(−61.1) 		−53.3
(−63.9) 		−44.4
(−47.9) 		−34.4
(−29.9) 		−17.3
(0.9) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−15.6
(3.9) 		−24.5
(−12.1) 		−41.7
(−43.1) 		−53.3
(−63.9) 		−53.3
(−63.9)
Record low wind chill −58.4 −59.6 −56.8 −45.8 −21.0 −7.2 0.0 −6.1 −16.0 −31.7 −50.1 −53.2 −59.6
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15.7
(0.62) 		13.0
(0.51) 		15.3
(0.60) 		18.1
(0.71) 		31.0
(1.22) 		78.0
(3.07) 		77.4
(3.05) 		55.9
(2.20) 		43.7
(1.72) 		25.8
(1.02) 		17.2
(0.68) 		13.4
(0.53) 		404.6
(15.93)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.2
(0.01) 		0.3
(0.01) 		2.3
(0.09) 		12.1
(0.48) 		30.8
(1.21) 		77.9
(3.07) 		80.0
(3.15) 		56.7
(2.23) 		43.1
(1.70) 		11.4
(0.45) 		1.8
(0.07) 		0.2
(0.01) 		316.7
(12.47)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 20.3
(8.0) 		18.9
(7.4) 		17.1
(6.7) 		7.2
(2.8) 		2.5
(1.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		1.4
(0.6) 		8.3
(3.3) 		18.3
(7.2) 		16.6
(6.5) 		110.6
(43.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 13.3 11.3 10.7 9.5 11.2 16.0 17.1 13.6 13.2 11.0 12.5 12.0 151.4
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.4 0.3 1.7 6.3 10.7 14.5 16.7 13.8 13.6 6.0 1.7 0.7 86.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 12.5 10.9 9.7 3.7 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 5.6 11.2 11.5 66.7
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) 69.9 60.9 49.0 40.5 37.3 46.0 49.8 49.6 51.8 58.9 71.6 74.3 55.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 77.7 113.8 176.0 217.3 276.5 264.5 285.5 265.8 165.2 118.4 63.2 65.2 2,088.9
Percent possible sunshine 33.2 42.5 48.1 50.9 54.4 49.9 53.9 56.5 42.9 36.6 25.6 30.3 43.7
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (sun 1981–2010)[36][40][38][39][41][42][37]


Neighbourhoods

[edit]

Neighbourhoods in Fort McMurray include Abasand Heights, Beacon Hill, Dickinsfield, Eagle Ridge, Grayling Terrace, Gregoire, Lower Townsite, Parsons Creek, Prairie Creek, Saline Creek, Stone Creek, Thickwood Heights, Timberlea, and Waterways.[43][44]

Demographics

[edit]
Jubilee Centre (municipal office)
Federal census
population history
YearPop.±%
1951926—    
19561,110+19.9%
19611,186+6.8%
19662,614+120.4%
19716,847+161.9%
197615,424+125.3%
198131,000+101.0%
198634,949+12.7%
199134,706−0.7%
199633,078−4.7%
200138,667+16.9%
200647,705+23.4%
201161,374+28.7%
201666,573+8.5%
202168,002+2.1%
Source: Statistics Canada
[45][46][47][48][49][50][51]
[52][53][54][55][56][57][58]

Federal census

[edit]

In the 2021 census, the Fort McMurray population centre recorded 68,002 residents living in 24,505 of its 28,670 total private dwellings, a change of 1.3% from its 2016 population of 67,123. With a land area of 52.17 km2 (20.14 sq mi), it had a population density of 1,303.5/km2 (3,376.0/sq mi) in 2021.[6]

In the 2016 census, the Fort McMurray population centre recorded 66,573 residents living in 23,937 of its 28,567 total private dwellings, a 9.9% change from its 2011 population of 60,555. With a land area of 51.79 km2 (20.00 sq mi), it had a population density of 1,285.4/km2 (3,329.3/sq mi) in 2016.[59]

Municipal census

[edit]

The permanent population of the Fort McMurray urban service area according to the RM of Wood Buffalo's 2021 municipal census is 72,917,[9] a change of 1.2% from its 2018 municipal census permanent population of 72,056.[60] In addition, the 2021 municipal census counted a shadow population of 3,089 non-permanent residents for a combined population of 76,006,[9] while the 2018 municipal census counted 3,559 non-permanent residents for a combined population of 75,615.[60]

Migration

[edit]

Fort McMurray is an increasingly multicultural community.[61] The 2021 census published by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo found roughly 6,700 people moved to the region since the 2018 census.

The top four provinces that sent people were other communities in Alberta (55 per cent), followed by Newfoundland and Labrador (13 percent), and British Columbia and Ontario (nine percent each).[9]

This is a drastic change from the 2012 municipal census, which was taken when Fort McMurray and the oil sands was undergoing a huge period of economic and population growth. That census reported people from Ontario represented 27.5 percent of Canadians coming to Fort McMurray, followed by British Columbia (26.3 percent) and Newfoundland and Labrador (17.5 percent). People from elsewhere in Alberta made up 3.1 per cent of the population.[62]

Ethnicity

[edit]

The 2021 census found 61.5 percent of residents are white, compared to 64 percent in 2016.[63] The second largest pan ethnic group is Indigenous (10 percent), South East Asian (9.2 percent), followed by South Asian (7 percent).[63] People identifying as Chinese, Japanese or Korean represented 1.3 percent of the population.[63]

Indigenous peoples represented 7 percent, remaining consistent from 2018. The municipal survey did not count the population of the region's First Nation reserves because they do not fall under municipal jurisdiction. First Nations people represent four percent of the municipality's population. Métis people represent 2.89 percent of the population, followed by Inuk (0.16 percent) and non-Status First Nation (0.13 percent).

About 3.2 percent of people identified as African, followed by mixed ethnicities (2.44 percent), Black or African Canadian (2 percent), European (1.73 percent), Arab (1.41 percent), Hispanic or Latin American (1.08 percent), Caribbean (0.67 percent) and Oceanic (0.13 percent).

2.88 percent of respondents did not answer and 0.52 said they did not know their ethnicity.[64][9]

Panethnic groups in Fort McMurray (2016−2021)
Panethnic group 2021[63] 2016[65]
Pop. % Pop. %
European[b] 41,705 61.53% 42,495 64.01%
Indigenous 6,755 9.97% 5,195 7.83%
Southeast Asian[c] 6,240 9.21% 5,295 7.98%
South Asian 4,755 7.02% 4,785 7.21%
African 4,685 6.91% 4,110 6.19%
Middle Eastern[d] 1,500 2.21% 1,935 2.91%
East Asian[e] 850 1.25% 1,250 1.88%
Latin American 635 0.94% 925 1.39%
Other/multiracial[f] 650 0.96% 405 0.61%
Total responses 67,780 99.67% 66,385 98.9%
Total population 68,002 100% 67,123 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Economy

[edit]

Fort McMurray is considered the heart of one of Alberta's (and Canada's) hubs of petroleum production, located near the Athabasca oil sands. Besides the oil sands, the economy also relies on natural gas and pipeline transport, forestry and tourism. Oil sands producers include Syncrude, Suncor Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, and CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC. Fort McMurray's growth is characteristic of a boomtown. Housing prices and rents are far higher in Fort McMurray than most such remote areas, and in 2006, Fort McMurray had the highest prices in Alberta.[1] The Alberta government has promised to release more Crown land for residential construction, particularly in Timberlea on the north side.

Infrastructure

[edit]
Float plane taking off at the Snye
Looking north on Highway 63

Air

[edit]
See also: List of airports in the Fort McMurray area

There are several airports in the area, with Fort McMurray International Airport being the largest in northern Alberta. It is serviced by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, McMurray Aviation, Northwestern Air, WestJet and WestJet Encore, with scheduled flights to Calgary, Edmonton, Fort Chipewyan, Fort Smith, Montreal and Toronto. The airport is also serviced by various oil companies with corporate and charter flights heading north to private airstrips at oil sands operations. Flights are frequently booked to capacity because of the high transient worker population and workers who commute to Fort McMurray from other parts of Canada.

Public transit

[edit]

Fort McMurray Transit operates in the community, with routes that extend to all subdivisions on the south side and subdivisions on the north side.[66] Although the service concentrates on Fort McMurray it does operate to hamlets in the RM including Anzac, Janvier, Conklin and Fort McKay.[67]

Bus

[edit]

Ebus and Red Arrow operate scheduled passenger bus services to Edmonton and other communities along Highway 63, as well as other destinations farther south.

Highways and roads

[edit]

Highway 63 is the only highway between Fort McMurray and Edmonton. Due to the industrial demands of the oilsands, Highway 63 boasts some of the highest tonnage per kilometre in Canada, and the largest and heaviest loads that trucks have ever carried. Highway 63 was fully twinned in May 2016.[68] Highway 881 also provides access to the region from Lac La Biche.[69]

Rail

[edit]

Canadian National Railway (CN) discontinued the Muskeg Mixed (mixed train) to Fort McMurray in 1989, and there has been no passenger rail service since. CN continues to operate freight service on its Lac La Biche subdivision and stations beyond.

Mail

[edit]

Canada Post identified Fort McMurray as "having a particularly high cost to serve" in January 2014, and planned to institute a surcharge of $5.00 for all parcels shipped to the area.[70] However, the postal service retracted this decision before the rate change went into effect.[71]

Education

[edit]
Timberlea Public School (elementary)

The Fort McMurray Public School District (FMPSD) and Catholic School District both serve the primary, elementary, and secondary education needs of students in Fort McMurray. Each school district offers diverse programs like French immersion, performing arts or a dedicated technology and science lab, however only FMPSD offers the Advanced Placement program at one of their schools, being Westwood Community High School.

On Abasand Drive, École Boréal is the only francophone school in the area and goes from pre-kindergarten to grade 12.

Keyano College is a publicly funded college and vocational institute based in the area and plays a role in training workers for the oil sands. Known as the cultural hub of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Keyano College contains both a state-of-the-art theatre and recital hall, hosting a variety of musical and theatrical events that attract upwards of 50,000 visitors each season.

Sports and recreation

[edit]

Local teams include the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), the Fort McMurray Giants of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL), and the Keyano Huskies of the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference (ACAC).

The MacDonald Island Park recreation centre is located on MacDonald Island north-east of downtown. The centre contains the Wood Buffalo Regional Library, indoor water park, basketball, tennis and squash courts, rock climbing, fitness centre, indoor playground, ice rinks and public rental space. Shell Place, a connected recreational facility, and a seasonal golf course surround the centre. Fort McMurray Knights Rugby Football Club is also based in the town.

MacDonald Island Park

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Based on station coordinates provided by Environment Canada, climate data was recorded in the lower town site area of Fort McMurray from June 1908 to November 1944[40] and at Fort McMurray Airport from January 1944 to the present day.
  2. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  3. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  4. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  5. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  6. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Fort Mac right to cry 'Enough!'". Archived from the original on March 25, 2007.
  2. ^ ""No country for young men"". March 29, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  3. ^ Keith Gerein (April 4, 2012). "Highway 63 twinning vital issue in Fort Mac". Edmonton Journal. Postmedia Network. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Annexation History". Virtual Museum of Canada. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Location and History Profile: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 17, 2016. p. 30. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and population centres". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "Municipal Officials Search". Alberta Municipal Affairs. May 9, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  8. ^ "Alberta Private Sewage Systems 2009 Standard of Practice Handbook: Appendix A.3 Alberta Design Data (A.3.A. Alberta Climate Design Data by Town)" (PDF) (PDF). Safety Codes Council. January 2012. pp. 212–215 (PDF pages 226–229). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Municipal Census Report - Census 2021" (PDF). Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. April 22, 2022.
  10. ^ "2024 Municipal Codes" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "Specialized and Rural Municipalities and Their Communities" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Location and History Profile – Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo". Alberta Municipal Affairs. February 2, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  13. ^ The History of Fort McMurray
  14. ^ Frits Pannekoek. "Fort McMurray – The Canadian Encyclopedia". Thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  15. ^ Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Fort McMurray: Board of Trade. 1915. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  16. ^ Alberta Culture and Tourism. "Abasand".
  17. ^ "1985 Official Population" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  18. ^ "1989 Official Population" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  19. ^ Ian Austen (October 12, 2015). "Oil Sands Boom Dries Up in Alberta, Taking Thousands of Jobs With it". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
  20. ^ Siekierska, Alicja (July 1, 2013). "Fort Mac flood victims can apply for aid funds". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
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