Kelowna, BC is first to approve 12-storey wood construction, touts safety and flexibility benefits. In related news: Ontario’s first CLT plant opens in December; and mass timber makes headlines in Victoria, Ottawa and Portland, Oregon.

In wildfire news: despite the lack of headlines, Canada’s 2019 wildfire season is called ‘average‘; 60 per cent of BC fires were human-caused and two models of US wildfire prevention are compared. Elsewhere: ENGOs and wildlife advocates express concern over Amazon deforestation; CPAWs calls for more biodiversity protection; and five countries pledge new monies for Green Climate Fund.

Finally, companies in the news include: Norbord (100 Mile House closure); Western Forest Products (benefits dispute); Tolko (Aboriginal award); and Weyerhaeuser (Columbia plant fire).

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor