West Fraser announced that it is acquiring Spray Lake Sawmills in Cochrane, Alberta. In related news: Domtar is shuttering its Espanola pulp and paper mill; Smurfit Kappa and WestRock are in merger discussions; and Myno Carbon is opening a biochar plant in Kettle Falls, Washington. Other company headlines include: Teal Jones seeks compensation over logging rights on Haida Gwaii; Catalyst Crofton to manage Cowichan River’s water flow; Howe Sound Pulp & Paper wants to consolidate their tenures; and International Paper’s Mark Sutton is stepping down as CEO.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: the NY Times says forests are no longer a reliable climate partner; altered fuels and warming climate said to drive BC’s wildfire surge; thinning is improving forest robustness in Oregon; BC plans to review the 2023 fire season; the BC Forest Practices Board denies an appeal of a BC Timber Sale; and the Vernon Seed Orchard opens a new seed extraction facility.

Finally, the World Forestry Center’s newest exhibit explores life in the smoke.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor