Trouble in the Pass:2003 Crowsnest Fire

Outline
Situation Red: Facts
One Woman’s Story
Outcome:
Negative Effects
Positive Effects
Future Implications: Ecological Benefits

Situation Red: Facts
Seasonal fire out of control
Fire changes direction, spreads
6 km wall of flame
50 meters high
Equivalent energy to atomic explosion every 30 minutes
Burns 20,000 hectares of forest

One Woman’s Story
Resident: Elaine Hruby
Requested to leave home at 10am
Minimal warning
Limited time to pack belongings
Recollection of experience

Outcome: Negative Effects
Timber Industry
Tourism
Local Businesses

Outcome: Positive Effects
Salvaging:
root scorch
cost

Spray Lake Sawmills

38% annual salvage rights

Future Implications: Ecological Benefits
Debarking trees:
Keeps chips clean
Reduces carbon content
Diversity over time:
Large timbers inhibit undergrowth
Rich undergrowth forms

Summary
Fire:
destroys and rejuvenates
Impacts:
communities
people’s lives
the environment

Questions

References
Title slide background image obtained from:
[Tclcloud’sPhotobucket Album]-Forest Fire [Online Image]. Retrieved September 20, 2009, from Photobucket.com.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/tclcloud/forestfire.jpg
Subsequent background images obtained from:
[Jumpinbean27’s Photobucket Album]- Fire Background [Online Image]. Retrieved September 20, 2009, from Photobucket.com.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/fire%20background/jumpinbean27/fire20background.jpg