Wood Buffalo

The municipality of Wood Buffalo is located in northeastern Alberta, Canada. It was formed in 1995 when the city of Fort McMurray amalgamated with a large surrounding territory. Fort McMurray, situated at the confluence of the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers, originated as a fur-trading post in the late 18th century. It became the capital of Canada's tar sands industry in the early 21st century, transforming the regional economy and attracting many workers. The municipality also includes several other communities. In May 2016, wildfires forced the evacuation of Fort McMurray and surrounding areas. Wood Buffalo National Park, established in 1922, is a protected wilderness area in northern Alberta and southern Northwest Territories, Canada, known for its bison herds and as the nesting ground for whooping cranes.123