With round four of the NAFTA talks underway and deal-breakers such as the dispute-resolution panels on the agenda, Trudeau and Trump suggest failure is possible and that a separate two-country deal may need to be pursued. 

BC’s Chief Forester has reduced the AAC in Prince George (by 33%) after years of higher cuts to salvage beetle killed timber; killer wildfires continue to rage in California wine country; authorities say 95% of California’s fires are started by people; US researchers study climate influences on wildfire frequency; and 2017 is already shaping up to be the worst fire year in Brazil. 

Northwestern Ontario is learning how it can play a pivotal role in the emerging biomass industry from Finland where incentives are provided to encourage the switch from oil to wood. Meanwhile, opposition groups speak out against biomass in western Massachusetts. 

Finally, proof positive that you can’t keep a good story down, more on BC’s forestry jobs report and the world’s tallest wood building.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor