The Crowsnest Fire in 2003 began as a random wildfire but grew rapidly into a massive blaze, with flames reaching 50 meters high and throwing off energy equivalent to atomic explosions every 30 minutes. An eyewitness described watching the flames sweep down a valley and unable to look away. The fire impacted the local timber industry and tourism, but one sawmill benefited from using burnt lumber in its operations. While the fire destroyed over 20,000 hectares of forest, regrowth over time increased biodiversity as smaller plants could grow beneath the canopy.

1. Crowsnest Fire Aug. 21, 2003