The Crowsnest forest fires of 2003 started as an uncontrolled wildfire that grew into a massive 6km wall of flames. Local residents were evacuated as the flames approached Hillcrest. Elaine Hruby chose to watch the fire from a distance, finding it mesmerizing. Over 20,000 hectares of forest burned, damaging the timber and tourism industries, though some salvage efforts recovered lumber. While the burned area initially looked desolate, forest fires provide ecological benefits and the region saw new plant growth that enriched the diversity of the forest.

1. CROWSNEST FIRES2003Photo by: Old Shoe Womanwww.flickr.com/photos/ judybaxter/3806850/

2. August 21, 2003A forest fire spread out of control turning, into a 6-km wall of flame that whipped over the slopes of Crowsnest Pass, throwing off energy equivalent to that of an atomic explosion.Photo by: Kevin Dooleyflickr.com/photos/ pagedooley/958854135

3. At 10:00am authorities evacuated local residents. All alone, Elaine Hruby began filling her car with personal belongings and drove along the valley to watch the flames veer down on Hillcrest.“ I felt masochistic, sitting on the outcropping. But, those flames were like a magnet.”Photo by: Lepprewww.flickr.com/photos/ leppre/485541523/-Elaine Hruby

4. The aftermath…Over 20,000 hectares of forest was burned.The timber and tourism industries suffered greatly.Photo by: David Cappaerthttp://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5178050

5. However…The Spray Lake Sawmill company has a 28% quota of the annual allowable salvage rights in the area so, much of the lumber didn’t not go to waste.Photo by: Jonathan Talbotflickr.com/photos/ 57151547@N00/470453483/

6. The Pros…A forest fire leaves the area seemingly black and devoid of life. But, a fire leads to many ecological benefits.

7. The results…A rich forest full of diverse plant life!Photo by: Dogtooth77flickr.com/photos/53817483@N00/3750414321