A little over one million hectares (2.47 million acres) burned across BC during the 2024 wildfire season, the BC Wildfire Service and CKPG Today reported.
Wood Markets News
US Residential Construction Employment Data for November
The number of open construction sector jobs increased from a revised 259,000 in October to 276,000 in November, the BLS and NAHB reported.
Koskisen Launches Investment Program for Plywood Production in Järvelä, Finland
Koskisen announced the launch of a comprehensive EUR 12 million investment program to boost plywood production at its panel mill in Järvelä.
USDA Launches Program to Support Wood Processing Facilities and Reduce Wildfire Threats
USDA Rural Development is partnering with the Forest Service to provide funding through the new Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program.
Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index Declines in December
The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) fell 1.9 points in December, but it remained substantially higher than year-ago levels.
US Consumer Confidence Index Declines in December
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index declined 8.1 points to a reading of 104.7 (1985=100) in December.
US Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for November
As of the last business day in November, the number of job openings was 8.1 million. Year-over-year, the measure was down 833,000.
North America’s First Mass Timber Acute Care Hospital Planned for Picton, Ontario
Site work has begun on what is expected to be North America’s first all mass timber acute care hospital, Building Design+Construction reported.
US Home Prices Increase 0.5% in November
US home prices increased 0.5% in November on a seasonally adjusted basis, marking the third consecutive month of 0.5% growth, Redfin reported.
US Housing Affordability Improved Modestly in 2024 but Remains Out of Reach for Many
A household earning the median income in 2024 would need to allocate 41.8% of their income toward the cost of a typical home, slightly down from 42.2% in 2023, Redfin reported.