A wildfire in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta abruptly changed direction on August 21, 2003, growing into a massive fire. One resident witnessed the flames approaching and found them mesmerizing despite her fear. The fire burned over 20,000 hectares of forest, significantly impacting the local timber industry and businesses like tourism while others maintained steady customers. Salvage efforts of burnt lumber depend on root damage assessments and carbon removal, and fires create new ecological diversity over time compared to undisturbed old growth forests.

1. Crowsnest Fires Revised by: Ardis Ng