Intentional Burn

The Sawback prescribed burn occured in May, 1993. Almost seventeen years later the results are still very obvious. So why was a fire intentionally set?

Before modern fire prevention and fire fighting, a fire occurred on average every 30 to 50 years in the Bow River valley. In the 20th century there were essentially none. The forests grew to be uniform and without open spaces.

A variety of old growth and young forest, as well as shrubs and meadows, are needed for a healthy mountain environment. Bears need berries. Wildflowers need sunlight. Woodpeckers need old growth trees and rabbits need meadows.