A seasonal wildfire in Crowsnest, Alberta abruptly changed direction on August 21, 2003, growing into a massive fire with flames reaching 50 meters high. A resident was evacuated and watched the large flames from 20 km away. The 2003 Crowsnest fire burned over 20,000 hectares, impacting the timber industry and some local businesses, though others maintained steady business. One sawmill benefited by salvaging lumber. The fire created long term ecological effects, both limiting undergrowth in large forests but introducing new diversity as the burned area regrew.

1. Crowsnest Fires Overview Crowsnest Fires Effects on Industry Ecological Pros and Cons

2. Aug. 2l, 2003 A seasonal wildfire abruptly changed direction and transformed into a giant fire. A 6-km wall of flame reached 50 m into the sky. Crowsnest Fires

3. Crowsnest Fires One resident at home that Saturday was Elaine Hruby. At 10 a.m. authorities told her to leave immediately. After collecting some possessions, Hruby then drove about 20 km west along the valley. She sat on a rock ledge and could not stop looking at the flames.

4. Effects on Industry In 2003 the crowsnest fire blaze burned over 20,000 hectares of forest, affecting not only the timber industry, but also local businesses. Tourism was hit hard, but other businesses maintained a steady business. One businesses that benefited was Spray Lake Sawmills. They were able to salvage all the lumber they could.

5. Ecological Pros and Cons Large forests severely limits the undergrowth Burned area eventually grows, creating new diversity

6. Summary Crowsnest Fire August 2003 Effects on Industry Ecological Pros and Cons