1. The Crowsnest Fire: August 21, 2003

2. A 6-km wall of flame reached 50m into the sky, throwing off the energy equivalent of an atomic explosion every 30 minutes.

3. Her husband out of town on business, Crowsnest resident Elaine Hruby was forced to evacuate. Alone…

4. Hastily she grabbed the essentials, her pets…

5. … and jewellery

6. Then drove madly for 20km to a point overlooking the destruction, where she recalled being unable to look away from the sadistic horror of the flames.

7. All told, 20,000 hectares of forest were scorched by the blaze.

8. However, this event had a surprisingly diverse effect upon Crowsnest industry.

9. And where there is death, there is also life. As forest fires give birth to ecological diversity.