The Lost Creek Fire in 2003 burned over 20,000 hectares of forest in Crowsnest, threatening nearby towns. A seasonal wildfire grew dramatically in size and intensity to a 6km wall of flames reaching 50m high, releasing energy equivalent to an atomic explosion every 30 minutes. The fire had both positive and negative impacts on the local economy, environment, and residents - businesses in some sectors suffered losses while others profited, burnt areas saw new plant growth but were initially unsightly, and residents had to evacuate but also found the fire fascinating to watch.

1. Fire in the Crowsnest!! 2003 http://www.environment.uwaterloo.ca/planning/faculty/stone/images/fire.jpg

2. In 2003, the“Lost Creek Fire”burned over20,000hectares of forest andthreatened thousandsin the towns below

3. What happened. . . A seasonal wildfire exploded with a directional change in the wind This transformed a random, seasonal fire into a 6km wall of fire that reached 50m into the sky

4. The fire threw off energy equivalent to an atomic explosion every 30 minutes

6. The environment

8. Some businesses suffered while others experienced profit. . . . Tourism and timber industries were hard hit. . . . . . . gas stations, dry cleaners and salvage sawmills maintained steady profits

9. The natural landscape was drastically changed. .. . . Burnt areas are unsightly and appear devoid of life . . . Yet burnt areas of forest allow for new, rich undergrowth that wasn’t present before

10. Residents were forced to evacuate from their homes. . . . . .but even though the fire was devastating, it was fascinating to watch. . . .

11. “I felt masochistic, sitting on the outcropping. . . . but those flames were like a magnet” – Elaine Hruby, resident of Hillcrest

12. With every natural disaster, there areboth positive and negativeresultsthat influence the economy, the environment and the community of the surrounding area.