A rail strike in Canada is deemed more likely now, as Union votes on whether to extend strike threat. In other Business news: BC’s Conservative leader outlines forest-friendly election platform; Maine’s T&D Wood Energy is fined for excess emissions; Timberlab’s South Carolina mill reaches full capacity; Forestry Innovation Investment releases its 2023/24 Year in Review; and Massachusetts Institute of Technology features famed timber architect Schim Menges.
In Forestry/Wildfire news: USDA seeks comment on old-growth guidance report; ENGOs say US old-growth plan is wanting; a Montana judge is set to rule on the Pintler logging project; Quebec’s Port-Cartier wildfire is slowed by weather; an evacuation alert is announced for Zama City, Alberta; and the Churchill Falls, NL evacuation order remains in place.
Finally, and sadly, forestry billionaire James K. Irving, has died at the age of 96.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) is excited to share our “Year in Review” – a compilation of market development activities completed by FII and our many industry, association, government, academic and research partners over the past year. We are committed to a collaborative delivery approach, building on the strengths and shared resources that other organizations bring to this important work. This report summarizes not only the work of FII, but also the many organizations and programs that we contribute to and work closely with. Despite recent industry and market challenges, B.C.’s forest sector remains a significant contributor to our economy and a global leader in forest product exports. This is due in part to the progress made by the suite of programs supporting the evolution and diversification of the sector. In this report you will learn more about the range of work underway, and the milestones achieved over the past year. While market diversification efforts often take many years to pursue, it is valuable remind ourselves of the important work being done to support the sector. 
Data released on Friday shows that 
A federal judge in Montana is holding a hearing next Tuesday on a motion for an injunction against the Pintler Face logging and burning project on Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. A coalition of conservationists and activists has sued to stop work altogether. The Pintler project, northwest of Wise River, Montana, calls for 11 miles of new logging roads to access to 3,400 acres of clear-cuts, prescribed burns and logging of more than 560 acres of aspen. It would also log another 5,800 acres in a commercial segment of the project. Mike Garrity, executive director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, said the project will disrupt a continuous ecosystem that lynx and grizzly bears need to thrive. Critics of the lawsuit and supporters of the Pintler project said it would make strides to preventing wildfires and also backtrack on years of economic development the state has made in the region.
Fire watchers said on Sunday evening that this fire now covers at least 3350 hectares. The cause is under investigation. Mackenzie County has issued an evacuation alert for Zama City because of a wildfire. Fire watchers in the High Level Forest Area say the fire is burning 8.5 kilometres southwest of the community. The fire is listed as out of control and has burned 2100 hectares. There are 72 firefighters, air and ground equipment fighting the blaze. The alert from Mackenzie County says the fire is not moving towards the community but people are still asked to keep their essentials ready. Crews are working on protecting structures in Zama City.
