As wildfires become more frequent and intense across California, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley are exploring ways to turn wood from fire-affected forests into useful building materials rather than letting it go to waste. At the university’s wood lab, Assistant Professor Paul Mayencourt demonstrated a construction technique known as dowel-laminated timber, or DLT. The process combines smaller pieces of lumber into larger structural panels using wooden dowels. “So, it’s enabling us to use more diverse sources of lumber. And that includes salvage from forest fires and also salvage from demolition,” Mayencourt said. Graduate student Adam Gordon showcased a model theater designed for Portland State University that uses fabricated timber panels, sometimes referred to as mass timber. He said the materials can be adapted for both structural and design purposes. …The Berkeley wood lab has received support from several sources, including a recent innovation grant from the U.S. Forest Service.