Oil Prices Surge as Israel-Iran Conflict Raises Global Supply Fears An unexpected oil rally is gripping global markets following the outbreak of open conflict between Israel and Iran. Over the past several days, the two countries have exchanged missile strikes, with Israel targeting nuclear facilities and fuel depots, ...

Rain Brings Fire Ban Relief to Most of Fort McMurray Region Widespread rainfall over the weekend has eased wildfire concerns across much of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, lowering the fire danger to low or moderate levels. Both the Regional Municipality and the Province of Alberta have lifted their fire bans, citing impro...

Alberta scales back COVID-19 vaccines, leaving most Albertans to pay out of pocket FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Alberta government is ending free COVID-19 vaccinations for most residents this fall, forcing many to cover the full cost of protection against the virus for the first time since the virus emerged. Only a narrow...

One suspect arrested in downtown Sport Chek thefts, second still at large FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - One man is in custody following recent thefts from the Sport Chek store in downtown Fort McMurray, as RCMP continue to investigate a second incident at the same location. Police arrested 53-year-old Steven Linthorne on Wednes...

Fatal house fire under investigation on Chipewyan Prairie First Nation FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - One person is dead following a house fire on Thursday on the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation near Janvier, south of Fort McMurray. Wood Buffalo RCMP and Regional Emergency Services firefighters responded to the blaze around 3:15 ...

Update: RCMP report that missing person, Cody Wallis, has been located safe. Thank you for helping by sharing the message! ___ FORT McMURRAY, Alberta - Wood Buffalo RCMP are asking for the public's help in locating a missing man. Cody Wallis, 39, of Fort McMurray, was last heard from on August 21, and police are concer...

New hardware mega-store to open in 2026, bringing 150 jobs to the region FORT McMURRAY, AB - Home Depot is expanding northward with plans to open its newest Canadian store in Fort McMurray in spring 2026. The 80,000-square-foot location will be the company's northernmost store in the country and is expected to create a...

First major production since venue's revitalization closes June 14 FORT McMURRAY, AB - The final performances of Doubt: A Parable begin tonight at Keyano's King Street Theatre, marking the end of a well-received run for the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Presented by Swamp Rat Experience, the production has drawn praise...

Tow Truck Crashes into Molly's Diner in Gregoire; No Injuries Reported FORT McMURRAY, Alta. - A popular Fort McMurray diner will remain closed for several days after a tow truck crashed into the front of the building earlier this week. Wood Buffalo RCMP say officers were called to Molly's Diner on Gregoire Drive around...

FORT McMURRAY, AB. - Fire risk expected to rise across RMWB as crews make gains elsewhere Alberta Wildfire crews have made progress in the past 24 hours, extinguishing three forest fires and bringing the provincial total down to 57. About half of the active fires are considered under control. No new fires have been rep...

Ipsos poll ranks Canada as top oil supplier among G7 nations ahead of summit in Alberta As G7 leaders prepare to meet in Kananaskis, a new Ipsos poll shows Canada is now the most preferred oil supplier among G7 countries. Premier Danielle Smith says the findings reflect Alberta's growing reputation as a secure and resp...

RCMP Searching for Woman Wanted on Multiple Charges Across Alberta FORT MCMURRAY, AB - Alberta RCMP continue to search for Kayla Jennifer Penny, a 31-year-old woman who remains wanted after failing to appear in court in Innisfail. Penny is known to frequent the Fort McMurray area, along with several other communities a...

Alberta Invests $20 Million to Accelerate Clean Drilling Technologies Alberta is investing more than $20 million to help companies develop and commercialize new drilling technologies aimed at reducing emissions and expanding clean energy production. The funding will support the launch of the Alberta Drilling Accelerato...

Kayakers and Floaters Won't Be Left High and Dry During Snye Point Construction FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Much of Snye Point Park in downtown Fort McMurray will be closed this summer as part of a major revitalization and flood mitigation project-but the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo says kayakers, floaters and river...

Fire Danger Remains High as Crews Battle 60 Wildfires Across Alberta Alberta Wildfire officials say conditions remain stable across the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region, with little change expected in the weather pattern. The fire danger remains very high in the Fort McMurray Forest Area, while the Lac La Biche Forest...

FORT McMURRAY, AB. - The Fort McMurray branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is marking Canada Day by welcoming the public to explore its growing military museum. Located in the Waterways neighbourhood, Branch 165 is opening its gallery on July 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering residents a unique and meaningful way to ce...

RCMP Deliver Refurbished Bicycles to Supportive Housing Residents in Fort McMurray FORT McMURRAY, AB. - Wood Buffalo RCMP recently stepped in to help residents of the Tawaw supportive housing program, answering a call not for service, but for bicycles. Earlier this spring, the Wood Buffalo Wellness Society reached out ...

Teachers Inch Closer to Strike as Talks with Alberta Stall Alberta's teachers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action on Tuesday, setting the stage for a possible walkout if contract talks with the province remain stalled. Results released this week by the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) show 94.5 per ...

Forest Tent Caterpillar Outbreak Crawls Across Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo FORT McMURRAY, AB. - Brown and green caterpillars with white spots crawling up trees, clinging to decks, and devouring aspen leaves on trees are a familiar sight across Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo this spring. The region is in the middle of a fore...

Canada Commits $9 Billion to Military in Bid to Meet NATO Target Canada is committing an additional $9 billion to defence spending in a bid to meet NATO's target of allocating two per cent of GDP to the military - a benchmark the country hasn't hit since 1990. Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement Monday, un...

Calgary Woman Charged After Drug Seizure in Timberlea FORT McMURRAY, AB. - A Calgary woman is facing a trafficking charge after police seized suspected cocaine and thousands in cash during a search in the Timberlea neighbourhood of Fort McMurray. Wood Buffalo RCMP say the 23-year-old was arrested without incident on Ma...

RCMP Investigating Two Thefts at Downtown Fort McMurray Sport Chek FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Wood Buffalo RCMP are investigating two separate shoplifting incidents at the downtown Sport Chek on Hardin Street and are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspects. The first incident happened on May 12 around 1:20 p...

Evacuation Alert Lifted for Conklin as Crews Make Progress on Caribou Lake Wildfire CONKLIN, AB. - Residents of Conklin are no longer under an evacuation alert as crews continue to make progress on containing a massive wildfire burning near the hamlet. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) lifted the evacuat...

Three people are facing a fine after fireworks were shot off Fort Chipewayn. The reports of fireworks being set off came into the RCMP on June 1st. With the tinder dry conditions, these fireworks could have touched of a fire. After a short investigation, the RCMP were able to find three people. They have been given a ...

Postal service continues as feds push for mediation in Canada Post labour dispute Postal deliveries will continue for now as the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) returns to the bargaining table with Canada Post. The decision to resume talks comes one day after the union filed an official complaint alleging unfai...

FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - A fire ban remains in effect across most of Alberta, including the entire Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB), as hot and dry conditions continue to drive extreme wildfire risk. Despite a brief reprieve from rain on Saturday, fire danger has rebounded to very high levels in the Fort McMurr...

Alberta researcher develops next-generation water filters for oil sands and rural communities EDMONTON, AB - Water is essential to life in Alberta, powering homes, industry and the province's energy sector. But ensuring that water stays clean is a complex challenge - one that a University of Alberta researcher has spen...

Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce unveils 2025-2026 board leadership FORT MCMURRAY, AB -The Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2025-2026 Board of Directors, a team of regional leaders dedicated to growing the local economy, supporting entrepreneurs, and advocating for the business community. Crystal Yo...

RMWB Council backs land transfer and reserve expansion for Fort McKay First Nation FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) council has approved the transfer of a municipally owned parcel of land in Fort McKay and expressed support for the Fort McKay First Nation's efforts to expand its reserve...

Fort McMurray's Uncle Bill's sells second $100,000 lottery ticket in months FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - A Fort McMurray convenience store is proving to be a lucky charm for lottery players after selling its second six-figure winning ticket in just months. Local resident Wilma Allejos is the latest big winner, taking home $100...

Construction begins on waterfront upgrades and flood mitigation in Fort McMurray FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Construction along the waterfront in Fort McMurray is set to begin next week as part of a long-term effort to improve flood mitigation and enhance public spaces at Snye Point Park. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buf...

No one was injured in a shed fire in Thickwood Tuesday, but everything inside the shed has been burned. Several neighbouring sheds and a fence were damaged in the fire on Caldwell Crescent. Two pumpers responded to the fire call at 2:30 in the morning and found a shed fully involved in fire, with fire spreading to neig...

Measles Cases in Alberta Approach 40-Year High, Northern Regions Spared Alberta is facing its worst measles outbreak in nearly four decades, with 724 confirmed cases-a level not seen since 1986. The highly contagious virus has spread rapidly, with cases increasing by 50 per cent in recent weeks. Fourteen people remain ...

Wood Buffalo marks National Indigenous History Month with events celebrating culture and community FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is inviting residents to take part in a series of events throughout June to mark National Indigenous History Month. The municipality is hosting several gather...

Alberta leads Canada in absolute emissions reductions between 2022 and 2023 A new report shows Alberta's oil sands are producing more crude while reducing greenhouse gas emissions per barrel. The 2023 Oil Sands Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Analysis found emissions intensity dropped 26 per cent last year, a four p...

Alberta emergency room wait times rise, but still beat most provinces: MEI report A new report from the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) shows that emergency room wait times have grown across Canada, with Alberta's median ER stay reaching 3 hours and 48 minutes in 2024 which is up nearly an hour from five years ago. W...

Liberals pass throne speech after narrow House defeat on amendment The minority Liberal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney has officially cleared its first major hurdle, with the House of Commons adopting the throne speech Wednesday evening. The move, made without a formal vote, allowed the government to avoi...

Kontoor Brands of North Carolina acquires Helly Hansen in a deal worth nearly $1.3 billion. Helly Hansen, a familiar name in Canadian workwear and outdoor fashion, is set to lose its Canadian identity. Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. has signed a deal worth nearly $1.3 billion to sell the Oslo-founded brand to Kontoor Brands ...

Fort McKay Community Centre Opens as New Hub for Culture and Gathering FORT MCKAY, AB - After two years of construction, the Fort McKay Community Centre was officially unveiled on Tuesday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration attended by local leaders and community members. The 12,000-square-foot facility, l...

New York Times Endorses Canada's National Parks as U.S. System Falters The New York Times is suggesting Americans head north this summer, praising Canada's national parks as a cleaner, better-managed alternative to their U.S. counterparts. In a prominent feature, the 170-year-old publication pointed to deteriorating co...

Chipewyan Prairie First Nation man charged after firearms complaint FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - A man from the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation is facing nearly a dozen charges following a firearms incident south of Fort McMurray. Wood Buffalo RCMP say they responded to a report on the morning of May 30 that a firearm had been ...

Watercraft entering from high-risk areas must be inspected before launch or face steep penalties. Boaters entering Alberta from the east or south must now stop for mandatory inspections to help keep invasive mussels out of the province's lakes and rivers. Starting June 1, all watercraft, including boats, jet skis and k...

Fort McMurray author wins national crime writing award FORT McMURRAY, AB. - A Fort McMurray writer is receiving national recognition for her short fiction. Therese Greenwood has won the 2025 Award of Excellence for Best Short Story from the Crime Writers of Canada for Hatchcheck Bingo, a tale of resourceful women navig...

Wildfire damages dozens of structures in Chipewyan Lakes, threatens Conklin as extreme fire danger persists More than two dozen buildings, including the water treatment plant and seniors centre, have been damaged by wildfires in the community of Chipewyan Lakes, located about 100 kilometres west of Fort McMurray. The d...

FORT McMURRAY, AB. - The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Mayor's Advisory Council on Youth (MACOY), a leadership program for high school students in grades 9 through 12. Up to 26 students from across the region will be selected to join the council, which offers oppo...

Alberta Expands Measles Advisories as Outbreak Grows EDMONTON - Alberta Health Services has issued 24 active measles exposure advisories across the province as the outbreak continues to grow. The advisories span a wide area, from Waterton Park in the south to Grande Prairie in the north. Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is o...

Wildfires Continue to Grow Across Alberta as Conklin Remains on Alert FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - Wildfires are increasing in both number and size across Alberta, with 50 fires currently burning in the province. Of those, 25 are considered out of control. In the Fort McMurray Forest Area, three large wildfires are burning n...

FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Wood Buffalo RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating 24-year-old Sarah Campbell, who has been missing since Jan. 1, 2025. Although Campbell has had some verbal contact since her disappearance, police say they remain concerned for her well-being. Campbell is described as 5'5" ta...

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - A man was arrested after allegedly forcing his way into a home in Fort McMurray's Timberlea neighbourhood. Wood Buffalo RCMP say officers responded to a 911 call for a break and enter in progress around 8:40 p.m. on May 28. They say an unknown man knocked on the door of an apartment in the 100 bl...

Man wanted on warrant arrested after foot chase in downtown Fort McMurray FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - A 34-year-old man wanted on a provincial warrant is facing several firearms charges after he was arrested in downtown Fort McMurray following a brief foot chase. Wood Buffalo RCMP and members of their Crime Reduction Unit w...