A wildfire started in Alberta and quickly grew out of control, burning 20,000 hectares of forest. Many residents were evacuated as the fire created a 6-km wide, 50m tall wall of flames. While tourism in the area decreased due to the fire, most local businesses were not affected. Spray Lake Saw Mills salvaged burnt timber to create timber products and reduce waste, debarking trees and keeping wood chips clean to reduce carbon content. The area will take time to recover from the fire but it will create new ecological diversity as timber stands no longer shade the ground, allowing rich undergrowth to develop.

1. Picture from: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2003/07/31/fire030731.html