A random fire in Alberta, Canada erupted into a massive wildfire that burned over 20,000 hectares of forest. Flames reached over 50 meters high and emitted the energy equivalent to an atomic bomb every 30 minutes. A resident of Hillcrest was evacuated and watched as the flames approached her hometown, feeling drawn to view the fire. The wildfire had economic and environmental impacts, hurting tourism but providing burnt timber for the forestry industry, while promoting new plant growth and biodiversity in the burned area.

1. August 21, 2003 Photo: Alberta Sustainable Resources