Fierce winds that blew through the Harrison Lake area overnight have caused a wildfire there to explode to six times its previous size. The human-caused Wood Lake fire is now estimated at 600 hectares, up from 100 on Sunday afternoon, and firefighters have been unable to make any progress on containing it. “It experienced significant…
Significant progress has been made containing the Elaho and Boulder Creek wildfires, due to the hard work of BC Wildfire Service crews who have taken advantage of reduced fire behaviour in recent days. The Elaho wildfire is now 45% contained. It’s located about 67 kilometres west of Pemberton and covers 12,523 hectares. Despite the difficult…
Forest fire aftermath creates adult treasure hunt Beth Rogers and Thayne Robstad spent more than a month foraging in a burnt Northwest Territories forest this summer. The Saskatoon couple was in search of morel mushrooms, which thrive in the aftermath of forest fires. After this year’s widespread inferno in northern Saskatchewan, they predict morels will…
The West Coast Lumberjack Show will be chopping large chunks out of this year’s entertainment at Peachfest. During four out of Peachfest’s five day run, five burly lumberjacks will be testing their strength against one another with logs and axes. And it’s a full time job for them – there won’t be any audience members going toe-to-toe…
New research suggests that Canada’s drought-stricken forests will take years longer to recover from dry weather than previously thought. In a study published in Science magazine, William Anderegg of Princeton University said trees feel the lingering effects of a drought for up to four years. “Drought is always (thought of) as a light switch: when…
The province has just announced a new partnership to work to protect the Ancient Forest, a unique temperate rainforest between McBride and Prince George. The province, the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and the Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Society announced the partnership on Friday to work to designate the forest as a protected area. The province says…
A Canadian paper mill that relies on exports to the United States to maintain more than 330 jobs at its Cape Breton mill says it will fight hard against a decision by the U.S. government to slap large tariffs onto its coated paper products. Port Hawkesbury Paper said Wednesday the interim duty of 20.33 per…
With a multi-million tax refund looming for the city to repay the Resolute Pulp and paper mill, Minister Bill Mauro is speaking out on the possibility of Thunder Bay receiving provincial assistance. MPAC had originally assessed the mill value at $72 million, but Resolute appealed that to the Assessment Review Board and the valuation was…
Frank Dottori has lofty expectations for White River Forest Products. The sawmill, located halfway between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay, is undergoing a $20-million overhaul over the next two years with a high efficiency production line arriving this summer, buttressed by a much-needed financing package. “Our objective is very clear,” declared Dottori, CEO of…
Ontario Wood WORKS! is seeking nominations for the 2015 edition of its awards program, which recognizes excellence in using wood in design. The organization, which leads a national campaign to increase the use of wood in commercial, industrial and institutional construction in North America, annually hands out awards in 12 categories. The Northern Ontario Excellence…