US home building in urban areas greatly increases wildfire risk

March 13, 2018
Category: Today's Takeaway

In today’s news: US home construction over the past decade has increased the high-risk woodland-urban interface by more area than the state of Washington; two US fire scientists received the pinnacle of recognition for improving the US National Fire Danger Rating System; unauthorized drones are hindering wildfire response in Texas; and thinning is proposed to reduce fire risk in Missoula County.

On the wildlife front, rat poison is killing owls in BC; logging is being blamed for the loss of bird nests in Nova Scotia; and environmentalists say a rare salamander is threatened in Oregon. 

In Business news: the global forest industry performed well in 2017; lumber stocks are up again; and Pinnacle and West Fraser are converting a particle board facility in Smithers to pellets.

Finally, Goddess Gala celebrates female truck logger (BC); and convention goers can check out the Montreal Wood Convention (March 20-22); or the Print and Packaging Summit in DC (June 19-20).

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor 

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