West Fraser reported an $80M Q3 loss and indefinite curtailments at its Alabama OSB and Arkansas lumber mills. In related news: Acadian Timber ($4M) and Smurfit Westrock ($219M) reported Q3 profits, while International Paper recorded a $1.1B loss. In other Business news: Ottawa announced $11M for Conifex in BC; Millar Western extended its Quesnel River Pulp curtailment; J.D. Irving’s Saint John paper mill may close over electricity costs; and New Brunswick offered to purchase AV Group’s forestland. Meanwhile: the US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady; tariffs raise building costs in North Carolina; and Portland State University has a new mass timber art and design facility.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Canadian researchers study post-wildfire forest recovery; BC’s Summerland wildfire may elevate slide risks; and the US lost 10 million acres of forests in 30 years. Meanwhile: questions about BC’s old-growth under the Conservatives; Alberta’s mountain caribou face logging-related concerns; Domtar highlights climate-smart forestry practices; and the EU’s deforestation rules will impact Brazil and Argentina.

Finally, Maine prison logging instructors received a Logger of the Year award.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor