Rebirth

During the last two summers, two separate wildfires have ripped through the area surrounding Highway 37 between Holloway Bar and the Yukon border. The 2010 fires resulted in the highway being closed for weeks at a time and had a severe economic impact on local area businesses during the last part of the 2011 summer. The 2011 fire started early in the season and road traffic was quickly reduced to a trickle with short road closures and pilot cars to guide weary travellers through the danger zone - but it also sent an economic shock wave through highway-side merchants dependant on the short summer season for their survival. Fire can have a devastating effect on all users of the areas and cause much damage to the forests which it burns. But, this is temporary damage that is part of a natural cycle of renewal, and the forests are already showing signs of recovery the next year. The contrast between the seemingly lifeless trees still standing in last year's fire zone and the heavy green carpet of plant growth that quickly covers the valley's floor is clearly evident to those who now travel through the area, and wildlife quickly returns as well with deer and other plant-eating animals moving in to take advantage of the first signs of the rebirth of the forest.

Don't miss all the new growth over at hollowaybar.com...