According to the NY Times, the US Forest Service continues to send crews into toxic smoke without respirators, leaving firefighters sickened. In related news: Canada’s wildfires are shifting east to the Prairies and Atlantic; scientists say climate predictions linking warming to more intense fires are proving true; debate arises over whether governments or individuals bear responsibility for fire prevention; and wildfire updates from Vancouver Island; Nova Scotia; Newfoundland; Arizona; and Spain.

In other news: West Fraser’s proposed cut increase in Alberta faces pushback; Dallas Smith weighs in on LKSM Forestry strike on Vancouver Island; Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest is ramping up logging; controversial timber sales begin in Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest; and Montana signs a historic forest restoration agreement. Meanwhile: Brazilian wood exports face collapse under US tariffs; Canadian housing starts rise 4% in July; lumber futures continue to drop; US consumer sentiment dropped on inflation fears; and US building material prices continue to climb.

Finally, from Tongass spruce to Steinway pianos — why the music may soon stop.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor