The Athabasca oil sands were known to the locals and the surface deposits were used to waterproof their canoes. See also: History of the petroleum industry in Canada (oil sands and heavy oil) View of the Clearwater River valley from Highway 63īefore the arrival of Europeans in the late 18th century, the Cree were the dominant First Nations people in the Fort McMurray area. Fort McMurray was known simply as McMurray between 19. Despite its current official designation of urban service area, many locals, politicians and the media still refer to Fort McMurray as a city. 143 on April 1, 1995, to create the Municipality of Wood Buffalo (renamed the RM of Wood Buffalo on August 14, 1996). The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire led to the evacuation of its residents and caused widespread damage.įormerly a city, Fort McMurray became an urban service area when it amalgamated with Improvement District No. It has played a significant role in the development of the national petroleum industry. It is located in northeast Alberta, in the middle of the Athabasca oil sands, surrounded by boreal forest. Athabasca River, Clearwater River, Hangingstone River, Horse Riverįort McMurray ( / m ə k ˈ m ʌr i/ mək- MURR-ee) is an urban service area in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Alberta, Canada.
