1. Aftermath of The Crowsnest Fire of 2003 In 2003 the Crowsnest fire blaze burned over 20,000 hectares of forest, affecting not only the timber industry, but also local businesses. Tourism was hit hard, but other businesses like local dry cleaners, gas stations, restaurants and office services maintained a steady business. Another business that benefited is Spray Lake Sawmills, they will use a significant amount of the burnt lumber. That company has a 28% quota of the annual allowable salvage rights in the area and will salvage the lumber they can, so that it doesn't go to waste. However, salvage efforts depend upon the amount of root scorch and the cost to pursue the salvage. For example, burnt bark is not good, from a lumber perspective but de-barking the trees will keep the chips clean and reduce the carbon content. There are also ecological pros and cons. Certainly a burned area is black and looks devoid of life but over time burned area also creates diversity that wasn’t there before. Large stands of timber smoother the light and inhibit undergrowth. A burned area creates ecological diversity and allows for the development of rich undergrowth that wasn’t there before.