The up-and-coming new material for sustainable building is mass timber. Mass timber could be part of the climate change solution and become the cornerstone of the Province of Ontario’s economic and environmental future. The question now is can supply keep up with the rising demand? Researchers at the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty’s Mass Timber Institute (MTI) are about to go in search of that answer.
News in timber
85 Wildfires Currently Burning in 10 States Across the U.S. — Only 1 Contained
As of Sunday, the NIFC is reporting 85 large fires and complexes have burned ~2.5 million acres nationally. Only one of those fires is being reported as contained. To help with wildfire suppression, the NIFC has requested a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) activation of approximately 200 active-duty U.S. Army soldiers.
Scotland Ready to Help UK with Fluctuations in the Global Timber Market
The UK as whole, according to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), is ‘far too vulnerable’ to fluctuations in the global timber market. However, the FLS says that Scotland is well placed to ‘mitigate’ the risk by stepping up its commercial forestry sector.
93 Wildfires Currently Burning in 13 States Across the U.S. — Only 1 Partially Contained
As of Monday morning on August 23, the NIFC is reporting 93 large fires and complexes nationally have burned 2,503,430 acres. Only one of those fires is being reported as partially contained. The Little Sleep Fire near Wanblee, South Dakota reported extreme fire behavior yesterday.
Glennon Brothers Awarded Forestry and Land Scotland Contract
Thanks to a new contract awarded by the Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), Glennon Brothers, a timber processor in Troon, will be able to create 25 new jobs by adding a third shift at their sister business Alexanders Timber Design.
Rain, Cooler Temperatures, and High Humidity Levels Offer Short-Term Relief to B.C. Wildfire Firefighters
The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) is reporting today (8-18-21) that a significant increase in fire activity over the weekend caused by gusting winds created challenging conditions for firefighters. However, rain, cooler temperatures, and relatively high humidity levels in parts of B.C.’s Interior has diminished fire behavior in the short term, but the amount of rain received in many areas wasn’t enough to have any lasting effect on the fires, as deep layers in the ground are still dry.
DroneSeed Acquires Silvaseed Co., 130-Year-Old Forestry Seed Collection and Seedling Supply Business
DroneSeed, the Seattle-based “reforestation one-stop shop”, has announced that it has acquired Silvaseed Company, a 130-year-old leader in the forestry seed collection and seedling supply business. With the acquisition, DroneSeed expands it reforestation services beyond aerial drone-based seeding, to span seed collection seedling cultivation in nurseries, and on-the-ground tree planting services.
Hundreds of Wildfire Burning Across the Western U.S. Push Forest Service Crews to the Max
The U.S. Forest Service said on Friday that it continues to operate in crisis mode, fully deploying firefighters and maxing out its support system. The roughly 21,000 federal firefighters working on the ground is more than double the number of firefighters sent to contain forest fires at this time a year ago.
Wildfires Throughout the Western U.S. Continue to Grow in Size; Europe Facing Similar Crisis
The Dixie Fire (named after the road it started near on July 14, 2021) is California’s largest single wildfire in recorded history. The fire continued to grow on Wednesday (8-11-21) and is currently only 30% contained. The Dixie Fire has destroyed more than 1,000 structures, nearly half of them homes.
CatchMark Completes $100 Million Sale of Oregon Timberlands to Roseburg Resources Co.
CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. today (8-11-21) announced that it had completed the sale of 18,063 acres of prime Oregon timberlands — known as the Bandon property — for $100 million in cash, or approximately $5,536 per acre, to Roseburg Resources Co.