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.
News in timber
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.
Kangaroo Island Plantation Timber to Convert 18,000 Hectares of Softwoods to an Agricultural Estate
Having had its proposal to construct a deep-water port on the north coast of Kangaroo Island rejected by the South Australian government, Kangaroo Island Plantation Timber (KIPT) Chairman Paul McKenize announced that KIPT would immediately convert its 18,000 hectares of softwood to an agricultural estate.
B.C. Wildfire Service Predicts New Fires in August and Significant Growth Among Current Fires
The latest wildfire report from the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) is predicting new fires in August and significant growth among current fires of note. According to the report, “The wildfires burning across the province require a large number of wildfire personnel and will continue as such until extended periods of precipitation are received across the province.”
Deficit of Fire Suppression Personnel Hindering Canadian and U.S. Efforts to Contain Spreading Wildfires
Despite their differences on the forest products industry, Canada and United States have a long and steeped history and tradition of helping each other out when it comes to wildfire and firefighting reinforcements. That will not be case this year, as both countries contended with one of the earliest and most severe wildfire seasons in recent times.
More than 85 Large Wildfires Have Already Burned 1.4 Million Acres Across the U.S.
There are more than 85 large wildfires burning throughout the U.S., most of them are in Western states. To date they have burned over 1.4 million acres.
More than 250 Wildfires Continue to Burn in British Columbia
The B.C. Wildfire Service is reporting that there are 257 wildfires currently burning throughout the province. That is one less than was being reported at the Saturday update and down from about 300 being reported earlier in the week. Nonetheless, there are still 58 evacuations orders in place that are impacting about 4,400 properties.
B.C. Premier Calls for Provincial Forestry Companies to Share Profits and Equipment to Help with Wildfires
British Columbia’s Premier John Horgan, while touring the Southeast Fire Centre in Castlegar on Wednesday (7-21), said that he expected other companies to follow the lead of Canfor Corp. in shutting down operations as trains, roads, and forest activity are disrupted by wildfires.