US President Trump signed an executive order directing the consolidation of US wildland fire programs—to the chagrin of some and applause of others. In related Wildfire news: Mike Flanagan says Canada’s forests are in uncharted territory; the BC is Burning documentary exposes causes and consequences; a BC Indian Band’s wildfire equipment is vandalized; and fire updates from Squamish BC, Ontario and New Jersey. Meanwhile: AI and LiDAR combine forces to advance forest carbon mapping.

In Business news: Cranbrook, BC Steelworkers say severance payments are still owed at shuttered Galloway Sawmill; the Veldman brothers financed Michigan’s paper mill restart; and Sierra Pacific settles its water pollution lawsuit. Meanwhile: Dr. Kathy Lewis received an honorary title at the University of Northern BC; Boise Cascade has a new Senior VP of wood manufacturing; and the Canadian Institute of Forestry is seeking a new Executive Director.

Finally, Canadian housing starts remain flat, but US consumer sentiment finally improves. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor