China’s proposed retaliation to President Trump’s promise to escalate tariffs will punish hardwood and lumber products most; and US Senators are feeling the heat from exporters in Missouri and Pennsylvania. In other Business news: the trade spat has delayed China’s plans to build a paper mill in Arkansas; US forest owners want the Farm Bill to proceed ASAP; and recent stock trends suggest the uptrend in forest products is reversing.

In Forestry / Fire news: the Cal Fire is now the biggest wildfire ever recorded in Calfifornia; where 14,000 firefighters are battling 18 fires. Other fire headline updates include Europe, Ontario, and BC (Nanaimo and Telegraph Creek). 

Finally, TimberWest and Island Timberlands (amongst others) are credited for progress made on the endangered Vancouver Island marmot population.

–Kelly McCloske, Tree Frog Editor