Zama City

History

According to National Topographic System maps, no community existed in the area today known as Zama City in 1963. In these early years, Zama City was also known as "Cameron Corner" after an oil company active in the area. Its 'city hall' operated informally from the cabin of a resident, trapper Joe Martel. A public library opened in Zama City in 1974, and a school opened by 1979, serving 32 students from kindergarten to Grade 9. Zama City became a hamlet on September 10, 1980. Described as an "oil and gas servicing community," it was reported that Zama City lacked a paved road to the nearest primary highway, located 60 km from the settlement. Zama City also contained a coffeehouse, general store, and a bar named PumpJacks. The next year, locals cleared land around the community to slow the spread of a potential fire, as part of a planning program to prepare for the event of future emergencies. These preparations assisted firefighters after a lightning strike on June 21, 2012 caused a forest fire in the vicinity of Zama City. After the flames drew within 10 kilometres of Zama City, having spread across 100,000 hectares in less than a month, Zama City was evacuated on July 11. In October 2013, a leak developed in an above-ground section of an Apache Corp pipeline near Zama City, releasing 1.8 million litres of wastewater. Dene Tha' Chief, James Ahnassay, reported that "every plant and tree" touched by the leak died. The Alberta Energy Regulator laid charges against Apache Corp for failing to properly operate its pipeline. Apache Corp pleaded guilty in September 2016, admitting it had not installed an appropriate protective fence. Evidence suggested the spill occurred after a bison crushed the pipe. After the Fort Vermilion School Division reported in 2019 that…

Most-observed species

• Tennessee Warbler

  Leiothlypis peregrina (A.Wilson, 1811) · Aves
  10
• Lesser Yellowlegs

  Tringa flavipes (J.F.Gmelin, 1789) · Aves
  8
• Bufflehead

  Bucephala albeola (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8
• White-throated Sparrow

  Zonotrichia albicollis (J.F.Gmelin, 1789) · Aves
  8
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  7
• Killdeer

  Charadrius vociferus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  6
• Gray Jay

  Perisoreus canadensis (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  5
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  5