Divergent industries on both side of the border are hoping for tariff relief as the US Dept. of Commerce makes its final determination on newsprint. But just in case it results in more mill closures, the BC government is upping Catalyst Paper’s pension obligations. Other companies making news include recent financials for Canfor, Western Forest Products and Conifex.

In Forestry and Fire news: a U of Guelph ecologist says forest fires are becoming more destructive in Canada; a BC expert wants more prescribed burns; air quality advisories are in place across BC; the USFS Chief speaks out on how to reverse the fire problem; and Sierra Pacific is closing its forests to the public. 

Finally; SmartLAM says the US is ready for CLT, Dezeen highlights timber use in a Portugal church renovation; but the concrete industry says wood-framed construction is both unsafe and uneconomic. 

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor