Two new reports (by Yale and Stanford researchers) say wildfire smoke contributes to thousands of US deaths each year. In related news: a contrarian report by the Fraser Institute on extreme weather; Prince George and Kaslo, BC host FireSmart events; Alberta braces for long wildfire season fuelled by drought; and a new fire retardant grounds two air tankers in Montana.

In Business news: US economic uptick in February proves ephemeral with March declines; communities struggle with lumber mill closures in the US West; West Fraser cleans up spilled effluent at Quesnel, new mass timber rules boost Kalesnikoff’s expansion plans; Rayonier’s historic tree farm is up for sale; the Pfeifer Group looks to reduce CLT production; and more on Canfor’s optimization strategy in Alabama.

Finally, Fire Chief calls BC old-growth logging protest “an epic waste of our time“.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor