Fort Mac Exclusives

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Mayor Bowman Addresses the Pothole Epidemic

Potholes have been especially bad this spring, damaging vehicles and making for some brutal rides around town. It’s been a major pain point among residents, and today Mayor Bowman weighed in on the issue.

What do we think about the potholes and overall road conditions in Fort Mac? 👇👀

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SUNCOR PROJECTS MOST OF ITS BITUMEN COULD COME FROM IN SITU AS PRIORITIES SHIFT

In situ extraction means producing bitumen from underground instead of digging it out through open pit mining. In simple terms, steam is injected into the ground to heat the bitumen so it can flow and be pumped to the surface.

Suncor says most of its bitumen production is expected to come from in situ projects by 2040 instead of open pit mining. The company is also aiming for more upstream growth in the next few years, with Firebag expected to increase from about 245,000 barrels per day to 275,000 by 2028.

For Fort McMurray, this matters because it could affect where future work, investment, and expansion happen in the oil sands. Mining is still a major part of the region and is not expected to disappear anytime soon, but more future growth could start leaning toward in situ projects.

This is more of a long term shift than an overnight change, but it gives people here a look at where one of the region’s biggest companies sees things heading.

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Sources: Reuters, Suncor Investor Day, Suncor Firebag info

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DOUBLE SILVER FOR LOCAL TRISTAN JAMES PARKER AT THE 2026 IBJJF PAN CHAMPIONSHIPS! 🥈🥈

In a career-best showing, Tristan James Parker took to the mats in Kissimmee, Florida and secured two silver medals in black belt gi competition at the 2026 IBJJF Pan Championship.

To put that into perspective, the Pan Championship is one of the biggest and most respected tournaments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is widely viewed as one of IBJJF’s four major championships, meaning Tristan reached the podium twice at one of the sport’s highest levels.

Huge congratulations to Tristan and the team at @potentialathleticscoach on two years of hard work and elite results. The momentum is real. On to the next! 🥋🔥

Drop a 🥈 in the comments to congratulate Tristan on this massive achievement and show some love for the team!

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Fort Mac if winter last any longer 😭

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This video is from 2023 location unknown

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House fire on Greely Road in Gregoire, scene as of 2 p.m.

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Fort McMurray’s man-made snow mountain on Tower Road is getting so big, people are actually driving out just to see it.

The Great and temporary Pyramid of Fort Mac has been turning heads lately, with more and more people talking about the sheer size of it and some making the trip out for a look.

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Cold Lake RCMP are asking for the public’s help locating 34-year-old Joey Jack Joseph Botelho, a Fort McMurray man wanted in connection with a violent incident reported on February 23. He is described as about 5’8” tall and 265 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, a full brown beard, and glasses, and has several distinctive tattoos including a 1967 Shelby Mustang on his left arm, a “Joel 03.12.10” banner on his left forearm, and an armband with seven skulls and bones on his upper right arm.

RCMP say he is facing charges of criminal harassment, harassing communication, and assault, and believe he is actively evading police. Officers warn that he may be armed and dangerous.

Investigators say he is a resident of Fort McMurray and is known to frequent Fort McMurray, Cold Lake, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, and several communities in Saskatchewan, including Kindersley, Kerrobert, Rouleau, Kipling, Melville, and Esterhazy.

Police say Botelho may be driving a red 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 with Alberta licence plate CXH1054. If seen, RCMP are asking that people do not approach and instead call 911 or their local police service immediately.

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Sources: Cold Lake RCMP / Play 103.7

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Current situation of 63 heading North before Parsons overpass 6:20am

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Flooding Reported on Brett Drive by Burns Place, Small Vehicles Struggling Through

We received this video around 8 a.m. showing a large section of flooding on Brett Drive by Burns Place.

From what we were told, smaller vehicles are having a tough time making it through the water, so anyone in the area may want to use extra caution this morning.

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Credit: Kadalyn
Instagram: @kadalynn_

[Fort Mac Exclusives @FMExclusives]

Downtown Fort McMurray in 1980 👀

An incredible throwback video is circulating showing downtown Fort McMurray back in October of 1980.

It is wild seeing how much the city has changed over the years, and we figured a lot of people here would appreciate this one.

How many of you were around to see Fort McMurray back then? And if you could go back for a day, would you? 👇

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Credit: Kevin Oliver

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Moose adopting humans in Abasand 🫎

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A worker has died following a workplace incident at an oilsands site south of Fort McMurray.

The incident occurred while two workers were unloading pipe from a truck, when a section shifted and struck them. One worker was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The workers were employed by a third-party contractor. Alberta Occupational Health and Safety has launched an investigation, and further details are expected once that process is complete.

In Alberta, the oil and gas sector employs approximately 120,000 to 130,000 workers, with an estimated 35,000 to 45,000 actively working on sites on a typical day.

Historically, upstream oil and gas fatality rates in Alberta and Saskatchewan exceeded 15 deaths per 100,000 workers, peaking near 18 per 100,000 in the early 2000s. By 2022, upstream oil and gas recorded approximately 4 to 5 deaths per 100,000 workers.

For comparison, construction fatality rates in Canada typically fall in the 8 to 10 deaths per 100,000 workers range, while logging and forestry remain among the highest-risk occupations, commonly reported at 15 to 20 deaths per 100,000 workers.

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Highway 881 was completely blocked for 5 hours today near Conklin 👀

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Fort McKay First Nation Rejects Alberta Separation Efforts

⛔️ Fort McKay First Nation released a statement this week stating that it does not support any effort for Alberta to separate from Canada.

In the statement, the Nation said it is not subordinate to Alberta or to Canada, and described its relationship as Nation to Nation with the Crown through Treaty. The statement outlines that Treaty rights are central to the Nation’s identity, governance, and long term sustainability, and states that those rights should not be altered through provincial legislation or public referendums, including current discussions related to Bill 54.

The statement also calls for a respectful and principled partnership with the Government of Alberta, and says such a relationship should recognize First Nations sovereignty, support reconciliation, and reflect shared interests. Fort McKay First Nation also expressed solidarity with First Nations across Alberta as discussions around provincial separation continue.

📍Issued January 29, 2026
📣 Context includes ongoing separatist discussions and referendum legislation in Alberta

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Be honest… you’ve thought about it 👀🧊

Video from: @life.with.sukh

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That van has seen things... mostly fish 🎣

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Not from Fort Mac, but this screams McMurray Vibes!

Video by: Norfolk 24 Hour Bait Shop on Facebook

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Over the last four decades, the oil sands quietly reshaped the land around Fort McMurray, forests cleared into open pits, rivers rerouted, tailings ponds appearing, then reclamation slowly stitching pieces of the landscape back together. So did Fort Mac, with new neighbourhoods rising as jobs, infrastructure, and population expanded and contracted through each boom and downturn. What looks like a simple change in terrain is really a visual record of global demand, local livelihoods, and a region constantly adapting.

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Seen on Beacon Hill 3pm Today 🫎

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Thanks to @donovanpearce for the sick footage!

[Fort Mac Exclusives @FMExclusives]

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, a Snow Squall Watch is in effect for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo today, Tuesday, January 20.

Snow squalls are short lived but intense bursts of snow that can lead to sudden whiteout conditions, rapidly changing road conditions, and reduced visibility with little warning.

This is a watch, not a warning, meaning conditions are favorable for snow squalls to develop later today, particularly during travel hours.

Drivers are encouraged to use caution, slow down, and be prepared for rapidly deteriorating visibility.

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I'm looking at the progress of the new Home Depot in Gregoire!

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