It was created from the electoral district of Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo which was split in half to accommodate population growth which has occurred in the region over the past decade due to exploitation and development of the oil sands.

[1] The riding's first representative was Progressive Conservative Don Scott, who served one term until defeated by Wildrose leader Brian Jean.

After an unsuccessful run for the party's leadership, he decided to retire from politics, vacating the seat in early 2018.

[2] The resulting by-election was won easily by Jean's former staffer and previous Grande Prairie-Wapiti candidate Laila Goodridge for the United Conservatives.

In the redistribution of 2017, the riding was abolished and will be replaced with Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche for the 2019 Alberta general election.