Crowsnest Fire

August 2, 2003,

Figure 1. Northwest Crown Fire Experiment1

1

A random fire got out of control.

The energy equivalent of an atomic explosion

A 6-km wall of flame reached 50 m into the sky.

Every 30 minutes

Figure 2. Ridge Forest Fire2

Elaine Hruby

Her husband was working in Fort McMurray

At 10 a.m. authorities told her to leave…

She grabbed the lamp

and a little plastic Buddha.

..immediately

her jewelry

She drove about 20 km west along the valley

sat down on a rock ledge

and watched the flames Figure 3. Hillcrest Fire: August 2, 2003.3

“I felt masochistic, sitting on the outcropping,”

“But those flames were like a magnet.” (Steven Frank, 2003)5

Figure 4. Crowsnest Mountain, Looking West: August 2, 2003.4

The blaze burned over 20,000 hectares of forest

Impact

Figure 5. Burned Trail.6

Tourism was hit hard

Impact

Figure 5. Burned Trail.6

Impact

Spray Lake Sawmills, will use a significant amount of the burnt lumber.

Figure 6. Lost Creek Fire, Looking South: July 2003.7

Impact

It has a 28% quota of the annual allowable salvage rights

Figure 6. Lost Creek Fire, Looking South: July 2003.7

Impact

Salvage efforts depend upon the amount of root scorch and the cost to pursue the salvage.

Figure 7. Turtle Mountain Fire: August 2, 2003.8

Ecological Significance

A burned area is black and looks devoid of life

Figure 8. Fire creates the conditions that allow the regeneration of a variety of plant species.9

Over time it creates diversity

Ecological Significance

Figure 8. Fire creates the conditions that allow the regeneration of a variety of plant species.9

It allows for the development of rich undergrowth.

Ecological Significance

(Jennifer Isaac, 2003.)

Figure 8. Fire creates the conditions that allow the regeneration of a variety of plant species.9

SOURCES

1. Image obtained from: PLOS Biology. (2004). World on fire, [Online Image] Retrieved September 21, 2009, from http://www.plosbiology.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.0020054.g001&representation=PNG_M

2. Image obtained from: Foothills Amateur Radio Society. (2003). Forest fire threat analysis in crowsnest pass, ab, [Online Image]. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/geog376/students/class06/fire/ridge_forest_fire.jpg

3. Image obtained from: Knight , Jason. (photographer). (2003). Forest fire threat analysis in crowsnest pass, ab, [Online Image]. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from : http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/geog376/students/class06/fire/hillcrest.jpg

4. Image obtained from: Knight , Jason. (photographer). (2003). Forest fire threat analysis in crowsnest pass, ab, [Online Image]. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from : http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/geog376/students/class06/fire/crowsnest_mtn_west.jpg

5. Steven Frank (2003, August 13). A summer in flames. Retrieved from http://www.globalforestscience.org/newsroom/gf_news/pdf/8-18-03Time.pdf

6. Image obtained from: Foothills Amateur Radio Society. (2003). Forest fire threat analysis in crowsnest pass, ab, [Online Image]. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from : http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/geog376/students/class06/fire/ridge_burned_trail.jpg

7. Image obtained from: Knight , Jason. (photographer). (2003). Forest fire threat analysis in crowsnest pass, ab, [Online Image]. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from : http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/geog376/students/class06/fire/lost_creek_fire_south.jpg

8. Image obtained from: Knight , Jason. (photographer). (2003). Forest fire threat analysis in crowsnest pass, ab, [Online Image]. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from : http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/geog376/students/class06/fire/turtle_mountain.jpg

9. Image obtained from: Kafka, Victor (Photographer). (1998). The ecology of fire, [Online Image].Retrieved September 21, 2009, from http://www.pc.gc.ca/~/media/progs/np-pn/eco/regen200.ashx

10. Jennifer Isaac, (2003). Crowsnest fire burns timber and tourism. Alberta Venture, Retrieved from http://www.albertaventure.com/?p=326

SOURCES