Crowsnest Fire August 2l, 2003

Eric StembergerEducation 3503

Random seasonal fire was suddenly whipping over the slopes, throwing off the energy equivalent of an atomic explosion every 30 minutes.

• In 2003 the Crowsnest fire burned 20,000+ hectares of forest.

• Timber industry, local businesses like local dry cleaners, gas stations, restaurants, services and tourism all suffered losses.

Destruction

One Victims’ Account

• “I didn’t know what to take…you start doing crazy things” - Elaine Hruby

• Driving 20 km away with her cat and little valuables, she sat and watched. Despite her horror, she couldn’t stop looking. “I felt masochistic” sitting on the outcropping Hruby recalls. “But those flames were like a magnet.”

Ecological Pros

• Large stands of timber smoother the light and inhibit undergrowth.

• A burned area creates ecological diversity and allows for the development of rich undergrowth that wasn’t there before.

• Spray Lake Sawmills will gain, as it uses a significant amount of the burnt lumber.

• De-barking the trees will keep the chips clean and reduce the carbon content.

References

• Picture 1: Google Images

• Picture 2:

• http://media.counton2.com/wcbd/gfx.php?max_width=300&imgfile=images/uploads/fire2.jpg

• Picture 3: http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2009/08/05/lillooet-fires-cp-w7122811.jpg

• Picture 4: http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/theframeup/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/antichrist-1024x682.jpg

• Picture 5 http://www.everywheremag.com/people/davesmurthwaite