The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) is reporting that hundreds of residents in British Columbia’s southern Okanagan region have forced to evacuate their home on short notices following a wildfire outbreak on Tuesday (8/18) afternoon southeast of Penticton B.C.
News in lumber
British Columbia Forestry Industry Back to Full Throttle Thanks to Record Breaking Lumber Prices
It is been a rough number of years for the British Columbia forestry sector.
Demand for Trucks and Cost per Mile Increases for Third Month in a Row
According to the DAT Network, nationally demand for trucks, flatbeds, vans and refrigerated units was up for the third straight month in a row, up almost 25% in certain shipping lanes and more than double the number for July 2019.
Canadian Lumber Production Declines Year-Over-Year in May
Statistics Canada is reporting that Canada’s lumber production increased 24.7% from April to May 2020. An increase of 4 360.4 thousand cubic meters. Year- over-year (May 2019 to May 2020) production was -18.7% lower.
The Forest Products Association of Canada Offers the Canadian Government Ideas on how to Jump Start the Economy Using Forestry Products
The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) has been working closely with the Canadian federal government to help form policies and programs to keep forest products businesses operating, workers safe and the essential products supply chain moving forward, during the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Higher Softwood Lumber Prices Push Building Materials Prices Higher in July
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is reporting that in July’s Producer Price Index (PPI) prices paid for goods used in residential construction continued their upward path, increasing by 1.8% (not seasonally adjusted).
Mercer Celgar Workers in Castlegar Return to Work
According to Rose Leslie, a spokesperson for Mercer Celgar, at least 215 of the workers laid off during the temporary shutdown of the Castlegar mill in the beginning of July, have returned to work as of July 31st.
Truckload Freight Rates for Spot Loads Continue to Increase
Typically, spot truckload freight rates decline in late July. However, this year has been anything, but typical and spot truckload rates have increased for the second week in a row according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT One Load Board Network.
National Association of Home Builders Seeks Meeting with Commerce Sec. Wilbur Ross in Regards Current Lumber Prices
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), near record and record high lumber prices, supply chain disruptions, along with U.S. imposed tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber imports are all contributing to price volatility in the marketplace.
Unusually Wet Summer in North – Central British Columbia Helps to Keep Wildfire Numbers Low
An unexpectedly wet summer, to date, in the North – Central interior of British Columbia has helped to keep wildfires unusually low.