The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is reporting that 2020’s wildfire season saw the largest number of acres burned in national forests since 1910, which was when previous high record was set. As of December 18th, 2020, 181,234 acres have been reported burned this year in Alaska and 10,069,213 in the other 49 states.
News in timber
Western Wildfire Season 2020 Cost Insurers $7 – $13 Billion in Insured Losses Through November
The wildfire season of 2020 in the western United States has cost insurers anywhere from $ 7 – $13 billion in insured losses through November.
B.C. Provincial Government Announces $9.3 Million Fund for Small to Medium Sized Forestry Businesses to Offset Operating Costs During Pandemic
The British Columbia provincial government is delivering relief to small- and medium sized forestry businesses to help offset the extra costs of keeping their employees and communities safe, while operating through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quebec’s Provincial Government Announces Aggressive Wood Harvesting Plan within 60 years
Quebec’s Premier, Francois Legault’s government has announced that it intends to almost double the amount of wood harvested each year in Quebec forest within 60 years.
City of Prince George British Columbia to Conduct Survey on all Sectors of the Forestry Industry
The City of Prince George British Columbia, Economic Development department has identified the forest industry as one of the important “cluster” industries with significant economic impact on the city.
Impacts of 2020 Hurricanes Still Being Felt by Louisiana Timber Industry
The Louisiana timber industry continues to deal with aftermath of the 2020 hurricane season. According to, LSU AgCenter forestry specialist Robbie Hutchins, overall, state and federal estimates have determined the 2020 storms affected 920,000 acres in Louisiana, causing losses totaling $1.4 billion.
Closure of Verso Corp Paper Mill in Duluth Creates Potential Wildfire Hazards in Local Forests
When the Verso Corp. paper mill in Duluth closed its doors this summer, the northern Minnesota area took an economic hit.
Commercial Thinning Comes to B.C. at Willow River Demonstration Forest
The Grove wildfire in the early 1960’s burned a significant portion of what is now called the Willow River Demonstration Forest, located east of Prince George BC. Currently 55-hectares of the 500-hectares demonstration forest in undergoing a process called “commercial thinning.”
Area Loggers Disappointed that Jay Maine Mill Pulp Digester Will Not be Rebuilt
A news release on Wednesday (12/9) by Pixelle Specialty Solutions’ that the pulp digester destroyed in an explosion at its Jay Maine mill in April will not be rebuilt was a serious blow to members of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (PLCM).
B.C. Government Halts Logging Planned for Critical Habitat for Endangered Caribou Herd
Following criticism from conservation groups, scientist and the public, the B.C. government has announced that they are stepping back from their initial plans to log a critical habitat for an endangered caribou herd in an old-growth valley north of Revelstoke.