The Crowsnest Fire in 2003 burned over 20,000 hectares of land in southern Alberta. A resident was evacuated from her home and could only take a few personal possessions as she watched the large flames approaching. While some local businesses suffered losses, others like restaurants and gas stations remained busy. One sawmill, Spray Lake Sawmills, benefited by salvaging burnt lumber that could still be used, with quotas to recover up to 28% of the allowable salvage in the area. Burned areas create short-term ecological impacts but can develop richer undergrowth over time compared to areas with dense tree cover that block light.

1. Crowsnest FireAugust 21, 2003 Photo by CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/photos/crowsnest_pass030804.jpg A seasonal wildfire out of control

2. *6 km wide, 50 m high *Energy is equivalent to an atomic explosion every 30 min! Photo by Science Photo Library http://www.immediart.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=270

3. Through the eyes of a resident… Elaine Hruby was asked to leave her house at 10 a.m. “I didn’t know what to take” Hruby took her cat, dog, a lamp her husband once used as a miner, her jewelery (but not his), and a little plastic Buddha “You start doing crazy things” Hruby drove 20 km west and just watched the flames veer down on Hillcrest from nearly 1400 m above on a rocky ledge “I felt masochistic, sitting on the outcropping… but those flames were like a magnet.”

4. The Aftermath… *20,000 hectares were lost *Many local businesses were negatively affected including tourism, and the timber industry *However, other local businesses, such as restaurants, gas stations, and office services still remained busy *Spray Lake Sawmills benefitted Photo by CBC news http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/photos/alta_fire030731.jpg

5. Spray Lake Sawmills… *Will salvage the burnt lumber that they can so that it does not go to waste *Has a 28% quota of the annual allowable salvage rights in the area *Salvage efforts depend upon the amount of root scorch and the cost to pursue the salvage *For example: Burnt bark is not good, from a lumber perspective, but de-barking the trees will keep the chips clean and reduce the carbon content.

6. Ecological Pros & Cons Cons *Black and devoid of life Pros *Over time a burned area creates ecological diversity and allows the development of rich undergrowth Large strands of timber smother the light and inhibit undergrowth