The document summarizes the 2003 Crowsnest Fire in Alberta, Canada. It describes how the fire abruptly changed direction and grew into a massive wall of flames up to 50 meters high. It discusses the impact on local businesses, with tourism hit hard but other services unaffected. It also notes the ecological effects, creating diversity but also burning over 20,000 hectares of forest and leaving an unsettling landscape. Salvage efforts focused on burnt lumber that could still be used commercially.

1. Crowsnest Fire Aug. 2l, 2003 Fig. 1

3. Account of Elaine Hruby “ I felt masochistic, sitting on the outcropping,” “ But those flames were like a magnet.”