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Ft Mac

Tips for Camping in and Around Fort MacMurray

If you plan on camping in and around Fort MacMurray then there are some helpful tips that you may want to follow. These include:

 

  • Follow all posted signs in the areas that you visit. Remember that you should leave no trace behind, and you should take all possible precautions to avoid damaging the natural environment.
  • Always bring a first aid kit, especially if you are camping in one of the more remote areas which may be difficult to access.
  • Try to stay away from any waterways that you may come across.
  • Keep your noise to an acceptable level to avoid disturbing any wildlife or other campers. Use common courtesy.
  • Keep any campfire that you make small and manageable.
  • Always build your campfire in an open area that does not have any trees overhanging.
  • Use the receptacle at the camp site for your fire. If there is no appropriate fire receptacle then place some stones and sand down before you place the fire materials.
  • Always wear comfortable shoes designed for walking long distances. Treat any blisters or small wounds that you get immediately.
  • Always pack extra clothing, especially socks. Damp socks can cause serious problems with the skin on your feet and may contribute to blisters.
  • Never drive any vehicles in protected ecological reserves. Even a light vehicle could damage the habitat.
  • Always carry more than the recommended amount of water with you, especially during the warmer summer months.
  • Always pour water on the ashes of your campfire before leaving, and never leave any fire unattended.
Categories
Economic Ft Mac

Fort MacMurray Economic Facts and Figures

The economy of Fort MacMurray depends on several things, and one of the biggest economic sectors in the region is oil production and refining because of the Athabasca oil sands close by. There are a number of oil and energy companies with plants and offices in this area. These companies include Nexen, Syncrude, Shell, CNRL, and Suncor Energy. Natural gas exploration, development, and recovery plays some part in the economy, and so does the necessary pipelines for oil and gas that must be installed. Forestry is also an economic player in Fort MacMurray because of the abundance of forest land and the remote location of the city. One factor of the local economy is tourism, which may seem surprising because of all the oil production, but visitors who have been in the region can quickly understand how tourism can offer economic support because of all the natural beauty.

The housing market in Fort MacMurray is somewhat expensive, especially when the remoteness of the city is considered. The demand for housing has skyrocketed in recent years, and some of the oil companies have had difficulty attracting qualified workers because of the higher than average home and cost of living expenses. Food costs are also a little higher than other remote areas, in part because of the extra transport costs and the other additional expenses involved. The robust economy in Fort MacMurray is going strong, and few economists predict that this will change any time in the near future because of the oil sands and the petroleum industry.