Lumber tariffs have emerged as a sticking point as Canada-US trade talks enter their final stretch. Canada is preparing a trade proposal, while the US industry is resisting any reduction in Section 232 lumber tariffs. In other Business news: Finland’s Kemi pulp mill curtailment is upending wood demand; and US consumer sentiment fell 8% in August.

In Forestry news: BC may divide its forest land base into three zones; protesters want to halt old-growth logging on Vancouver Island; and residents oppose the deactivation of a forest road near Glacier National Park. In the US: states are struggling to pass fire protection rules; the debate over killing barred owls continues; and forest advocates argue that logging and conservation depend on each other.

In Wildfire news: Canada’s wildfire crisis will worsen as the climate warms; extreme fire weather is BC’s new reality; wildfire pressure is increasing demand for Canadair water bombers; Southern BC continues to contend with wildfire smoke; and calls are growing for mandatory FireSmart measures. Meanwhile: Okanagan farmers face mounting wildfire losses; drought and fire are challenging Colorado wildlife; and a new round of extreme heat is fuelling wildfires across Europe.

Finally, Bellevue, Washington is set to get the tallest mass timber office building in the US.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor