Canadian Press editors voted wildfire devastation as the news story of 2023. In related news: Nova Scotia designates five new protected areas; the US Forest Service will assess the impact of its old-growth plan; ENGOs say BC can do more to protect biodiversity; a known carcinogen is found in California’s wildfire ash; and globally, forests absorb more carbon than they they emit, but a surge in forest fires continues to fuel global emissions.

In other news: CWC awards the Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarship; ENGOs preempt BC trade delegation with negative forest-use message; BC Minister says lack of fibre still the hot-button issue for industry; and two more value-added wood firms get BC funding. Meanwhile: on the Safety front, fatal injuries result in sixable fines for Resolute Forest Products and Florence Hardwoods.

Finally, as 2023 winds down, US home sales surge; consumer confidence is up, and lumber prices end where they started.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor