Our Community
ABOUT FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA
Located in northeast Alberta at the confluence of the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers, Fort McMurray (or “Fort Mac” to locals) is an urban service area within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Formerly a city, Fort McMurray is a diverse, multicultural community that is well known for its resilience. In May 2016, a major wildfire caused mandatory evacuation of the community and several surrounding cities, destroying one-fifth of resident homes.
Fort McMurray’s current population is nearly 70,000 residents. To keep pace with residential development growth, the Alberta government has been transferring crown land to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
FORT MCMURRAY JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The unique and vibrant community is surrounded by scenic boreal forest, playing an important role in the development of the national petroleum industry. Fort McMurray also has successful pipeline, forestry and tourism sectors and attracts job seekers from all over the world.
As a gateway to the northwestern Canadian wilderness, the city features an international airport, provincial and municipal bus systems and rail transit. Highway 63 connects Fort McMurray to Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, which is located 435 kilometres southwest. The Alberta-Saskatchewan border is only 60 kilometres away.
FORT MCMURRAY WEATHER
Other than during periods with warm Chinook winds, Fort McMurray’s winters are typically long and severe – with the average daily high temperature below-4°C. Warm, short summers occur during May – September and have an average daily temperature above 17 °C. The area’s average annual precipitation is 456 millimetres and average annual snowfall is 156 centimetres.
On clear evenings from October to March, the outskirts of Fort McMurray are a great place to enjoy the Northern Lights, a mesmerizing natural light display.
FORT MCMURRAY ATTRACTIONS
With its picturesque landscape scenery, it’s no wonder that the area’s most popular activities include camping, fishing and hiking. Canada’s largest recreation complex is located in Fort McMurray at MacDonald Island Park and features four skating rinks, an eight-sheet curling rink, an indoor climbing wall, library and other recreational facilities.
Other popular attractions include the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, an educational facility that showcases the history, science and technology of the oil sands and Fort McMurray Heritage Village, a collection of historical buildings that provide a glimpse into Fort McMurray’s past.