Crowsnest FiresCrowsnest Fires

Crowsnest Crowsnest Fires

On Aug. 2l, 2003, a random fire got out of On Aug. 2l, 2003, a random fire got out of control control

What had been a seasonal wildfire What had been a seasonal wildfire abruptly changed direction and abruptly changed direction and transformed into a giant fire.transformed into a giant fire.

A 6-km wall of flame reached 50 m into A 6-km wall of flame reached 50 m into the sky, the fire was suddenly whipping the sky, the fire was suddenly whipping over the slopes, throwing off the energy over the slopes, throwing off the energy equivalent of an atomic explosion every 30 equivalent of an atomic explosion every 30 minute.minute.

Elaine Hruby’s StoryElaine Hruby’s Story

One resident at home that Saturday was Elaine One resident at home that Saturday was Elaine Hruby. Hruby.

At 10 a.m. authorities told her to leave At 10 a.m. authorities told her to leave immediately. immediately. – ““I didn’t know what to take” says Hruby, I didn’t know what to take” says Hruby,

recalling her anxious departure. “You start recalling her anxious departure. “You start doing crazy things”.doing crazy things”.

Story – Con’tStory – Con’t

After putting her cat and dog in the car, she grabbed the After putting her cat and dog in the car, she grabbed the lamp her husband once used as a miner, her jewelry (but lamp her husband once used as a miner, her jewelry (but not his) and a little plastic Buddha.not his) and a little plastic Buddha.

Hruby then drove about 20 km west along the valley, sat Hruby then drove about 20 km west along the valley, sat down overlooking the 1,359-m-high Crowsnest Pass and down overlooking the 1,359-m-high Crowsnest Pass and watched the flames veer down on Hillcrest.watched the flames veer down on Hillcrest.

Despite her horror, she couldn’t stop looking. Despite her horror, she couldn’t stop looking. – ““I felt masochistic, sitting on the outcropping”, Hruby recalls. I felt masochistic, sitting on the outcropping”, Hruby recalls.

“But those flames were like a magnet”.“But those flames were like a magnet”.

Effect on BusinessesEffect on Businesses

In 2003 the crowsnest fire blaze burned In 2003 the crowsnest fire blaze burned over 20,000 hectares of forest, affecting over 20,000 hectares of forest, affecting not only the timber industry, but also local not only the timber industry, but also local businesses.businesses.

Tourism was hit hard, yet luckily other Tourism was hit hard, yet luckily other businesses like local dry cleaners, gas businesses like local dry cleaners, gas stations, restaurants and office services stations, restaurants and office services maintained a steady business.maintained a steady business.

Spray Lake SawmillsSpray Lake Sawmills

This company benefited from these fires because they were This company benefited from these fires because they were able to use a significant amount of the burnt lumber.able to use a significant amount of the burnt lumber.

This company has a 28% quota of the annual allowable This company has a 28% quota of the annual allowable salvage rights in the area and will salvage the lumber they salvage rights in the area and will salvage the lumber they can, so that it does not go to waste.can, so that it does not go to waste.

However, salvage efforts depend upon the amount of root However, salvage efforts depend upon the amount of root scorch and the cost to pursue the salvage.scorch and the cost to pursue the salvage.– For example, burnt bark is not good, from a lumber perspective but de-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 barking the trees will keep the chips clean and reduce the carbon content.content.

Ecological Pros and ConsEcological Pros and Cons

Certainly a burned area is black and looks devoid of Certainly a burned area is black and looks devoid of life but over time burned area also creates diversity life but over time burned area also creates diversity that wasn’t there before. that wasn’t there before.

Large stands of timber smooth the light and inhibit Large stands of timber smooth the light and inhibit undergrowth. undergrowth.

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

Work CitedWork Cited

Fires have swept across the Med this summer. [Online Image] (n.d.). Retreived on Fires have swept across the Med this summer. [Online Image] (n.d.). Retreived on September 14, 2009, September 14, 2009, from from The coffee House. The coffee House. http://environmentdebate.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/skiathos-burns-as-fires-contihttp://environmentdebate.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/skiathos-burns-as-fires-continue-to-rage-across-greece/nue-to-rage-across-greece/

Effect on wildfire on hydrology and water quality. [Online Image] (n.d.). Retreived on Effect on wildfire on hydrology and water quality. [Online Image] (n.d.). Retreived on September 14, September 14, 2009, from 2009, from University of Waterloo. University of Waterloo.http://www.environment.uwaterloo.ca/planning/faculty/stone/wildfire.htmlhttp://www.environment.uwaterloo.ca/planning/faculty/stone/wildfire.html