Fire and forestry officials have said California is likely to see a severe fire season because of a dry winter marked by record low rainfall. Hundreds of firefighters were needed to contain a massive forest fire in northern California's Lake Tahoe, a popular tourist spot 190 miles (300 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco. The blaze caused officials to shut portions of Highway 395, the gateway to the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, but there have been no reports of injury or death....

The idea behind the Bearthday Tree campaign, said Hoffman, is to let folks know trees do not need to be dedicated only to memorialize deceased family members, "they can be dedicated to honor the birth of a child or honor the birthday of a loved one. How nice it will be for a child to see their tree mature with them. Hoffman noted that as long as the tree does not already have a plaque at its base, it is available. The planting of trees is a great way to give something back to the world....

About830 firefighters are working to get a handle on the fire, with more resources and firefighters expected in the near future. There are scattered cabins around the east shore of the lake--firefighters are providing structure protection on those homes. The fire has not destroyed any homes. Campgrounds around the lake have been evacuated just as a precaution. Arash Mosaleh Channel 2 News The Antelope Complex of fires continues to burn in the Plumas National Forest in Northern California,...

In the region where Gebhardt Timber Management is located, the primary timber species are oaks and walnut with some soft maple, cherry, sycamore and hickory harvested as well. Saw logs are processed into furniture grade lumber and high grade veneers while cants and low-grade logs are processed into industrial lumber products and pallet cut stock. My dad got us started in the timber industry when he started sawmilling in 1957, Michael said. Michael is part of a large family, many of whom...

We are trying to figure out what the land-based carbon sink is, said Beverly Law, a professor of forest science at OSU and a principal researcher on the project. The OSU research will examine areas covered by forests, crops, shrubs, woods and grass; and factors that affect carbon storage or release such as forest fires, logging and urbanization. The carbon balance refers to the ratio of fossil fuel and other carbon emissions that are absorbed by natural processes, such as the...

PERSONAL FINANCE In Defense Of Hedge Funds A high-net-worth investment adviser takes on those who say the glory days are over Hedge fund assets could hit $2 trillion this year, a staggering number that has many investment pros saying there's too much money chasing too few opportunities and, thus, these private partnerships have seen their best days. PERSONAL FINANCE In Defense Of Hedge Funds A high-net-worth investment adviser takes on those who say the glory days are over Hedge fund...

A tree planted after the hurricane season ends, when the weather is cool and dry, will take longer and will likely not be well-rooted by the beginning of the next hurricane season, McAvoy said. During a recent town meeting, Highland Beach commissioners looked puzzled when somebody posed the question: Should they go ahead and plant 98 king palm trees along A1A or should they wait until the hurricane season ends Nov. A few weeks later they reconvened and, after having sought advice from a...

We realise the growing need to practise responsible purchasing in order to be accepted by these retail groups in the international market. Participation in MFTN provides a business opportunity for us not just to gain added recognition from consumers worldwide and gain bigger market access but also to achieve and sustain long-term competitiveness in the international market, she said. We hope Raya Intan will become a role model for other companies and encourage them to participate in MFTN...

By wire reports Friday, July 6, 2007 Organizations from environmental groups to those representing the oil, gas and timber industries have filed appeals challenging the first federal management plan in 20 years for Allegheny National Forest. Forest Service plan emphasizes drilling and timber interests while giving short shrift to recreational users and the area's natural beauty. Representatives of schools, towns and industries say they were not given meaningful and timely opportunity for input.