The document summarizes the Crowsnest Fires that occurred in Alberta, Canada in August 2003. It began as a small fire but grew rapidly to 6km long and 50m high, producing as much energy as an atomic blast every 30 minutes. While some local businesses were unaffected, tourism suffered and salvage efforts depended on the level of damage. The fire burned 20,000 hectares of forest but created new ecological diversity and growth. Local residents had to evacuate with little notice, only able to gather some of their belongings as the fire approached.