Softwood lumber—after inexplicably wallowing in the doldrums (Madison’s), cutbacks at Canadian sawmills (WSJ), send lumber prices surging (Seeking Alpha). In related news: the BC Liberals say “keep people working“; but the Prince George Citizen says “no need to take the them seriously“. Meanwhile companies in the news include: TimberWest, Garden River Truss, Norbord and Rayonier.

In Wildfire news: surviving another BC smoky summer; is California prepared?; surprising behaviour in beetle-attacked lodgepole forests in the US West; evacuations in Northern Alberta; and a wet spring means a late start for Idaho.

Finally, forest fire updates from BC (100 Mile House and Campbell River), Phoenix and Northern California. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor