News in timber

The number of large new fires or emergency responses as of May 12th was 2. The number of active large fires (not including individual fires within complexes) stands at 5. Currently, there are 47,901 acres involved in active fires.

On Tuesday, the BC Forest Practices Board released its 2023–26 Strategic Plan, setting new priorities for advancing the public interest in forest and range practices in British Columbia.

Alberta’s Premier told a news conference on Saturday that the province has declared a state of emergency “to protect safety, health, and welfare of Albertan’s,” according to ABC News. One-third of the 110 blazes were listed as out of control.

In accordance with the Forest Act, BC’s chief forester has set a new allowable annual cut (AAC) level for the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area (TSA). The new AAC for the Mackenzie TSA has been set at 2.39 million cubic meters.

Huber Resources Corp, a subsidiary of the JM Huber Corporation, announced on Monday that it has acquired certain assets of Compass Land Consultants. According to the press release, the move will grow and expand HRC as well as its Sewall Forestry and Natural Resources Consulting business globally in key service areas.

Seven months after raising royalty rates on timber harvested in provincially owned forests, the New Brunswick provincial government is proposing up to $50 million in reductions, according to CBC News. Some rates will fall all the way back to where they were a decade ago.

The US National Interagency Fire Center is reporting that as of last Friday, nineteen large new fires were reported. Wildland firefighters and support personnel are working towards containment goals on 13 large fires that have burned 45,376 acres in 8 states.

Trustees of the Forestry Innovation Transition Trust (FITT) announced two more projects, totaling more than $2.5 million (CAD), have been approved. “The projects, together with previously funded projects, are helping to strengthen the sector and ensure it’s sustainable for the long term.”

The US National Interagency Fire Center is reporting that as of Friday, 54 large new fires were reported. Wildland firefighters and support personnel are working towards containment goals on 20 large fires that have burned 14,812 acres in 11 states.

Telus has recently invested $11.4 million (CAD) and has teamed up with Canadian reforestation company Flash Forest to develop and expand its post-wildfire reforestation using drones to plant tree seedlings, according to the BC news site “Castanet.”