With wildfires currently raging through Alberta, people in the region are discovering all too well the impact that such natural disasters can leave. From the seemingly smallest of embers, raging wildfires can spiral out of control and force thousands of people out of their homes, as well as claiming a large number of lives.
Irish timber merchant Crowe Sawmills sent us this chilling infographic on the deadliest forest fires in history. What these prior case studies show is that the current crisis in Alberta is far from unprecedented, not just globally but even in Canada, where almost 200 years ago the Great Miramichi Fire swept through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
A common theme running through the infographic is the innocuous origin of these fires, usually through a freakish combination of high temperatures and strong winds. In some cases, though, the actions of humans are to blame, innocently or otherwise. While the teenager in Israel who reportedly tossed a burning coal aside had no idea of what was to come from it, the arsonists who contributed to the spread of the Peloponnese Fires in Greece nine years ago certainly don’t have a clear conscience.
Another sadly recurring theme is the loss of life from these fires, not only of unfortunate citizens living in the affected regions but also those of courageous firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in attempting to do good for others. Thankfully there have been no reports of firefighters perishing in Alberta, but on many occasions in the past, such noble volunteers have died doing what they believe is right.
Click on the infographic below for a history of the world’s worst forest fires.