APRIL 2018
- The strong market for lumber in the US led to record high lumber prices in both the US and Canada in late 2017 and early 2018.
- Over the past two years, prices for imported softwood lumber to China have been steadily rising and reached the highest levels in three years in early 2018.
- Although lumber imports to Japan fell in the 4Q/17, the total volume for the year was up slightly for the second consecutive year.
Global trade of wood pellets has grown quite substantially over the past five years, from 11.8 million tons in 2013 to 18.3 million tons in 2017 with Europe being the dominant market.
- Most of the investments in pellet production over the past five years have been in the US South, while investments in Canadian capacity have been limited.
Wildfire Forecasts Predict Hot, Dry Conditions in BC
Preliminary forecasts from federal government scientists suggest B.C. may be in for another active wildfire season, according to a news report.
Richard Carr, a fire research analyst with the Canadian Forest Service, told CBC there's no reason to be alarmed, but the current climate models suggest above-average hot and dry conditions in some parts of the province — increasing the risk of wildfire.
"By the time we get into June ... we're starting to pick up on potential problems in the southern half of B.C., kind of extending up to the northeast," he said. "Without adequate spring precipitation, then we might start to see some drying and fire activity again in June."
BC Forests Minister Doug Donaldson said that province has added $50 million to his ministry's budget over the next three years to help communities become more "fire resilient."