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A record-breaking summer that saw more than 1,000 wildfires has torched some 540,000 hectares of land across the European Union since mid-June, according to official data – an area more than twice the size of Luxembourg. Source: AFP France Multiple back-to-back heatwaves fuelled by climate change scorched Europe, causing more than 30,000 excess deaths, widespread drought and devastating wildfires that forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, particularly in Spain and France. Temperature records across the continent were smashed, triggering dangerous blazes even in normally cool, wet areas such as Belgium and Scotland. The total area affected by fire between June 18 and September 2 is well above the average for the previous 20 years, according to data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). But it remains below the record set in 2025, when fires consumed more than 800,000 hectares between those dates. Four of the EU’s 15 largest fires of the last 10 years occurred this summer, according to EFFIS data. Fires that broke out between July 16 and 22 consumed nearly 190,000 hectares of forest, the most for that week-long period since at least 2006, according to harmonised weekly data from EFFIS. Three massive fires erupted in succession during this period: two in Spain and one in France. One in the Spanish province of Avila, near Madrid, broke out on July 22 and went on to destroy more than 42,000 hectares. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes, and the Spanish government said it considered the blaze the worst in the country’s modern history. Another fire in the Andalusia region of southern Spain in July led to more than a dozen deaths. Before the end of July, France had already broken its record for the total area burned in a single year since records began. Meanwhile, Spain has been hovering near its cumulative record for the same point in the year for weeks – briefly surpassing it in mid-August before dropping back below. Greece, Portugal and Italy are among the other southern EU nations that experienced an active fire season, a common summer phenomenon in the region. Further north, Belgium faced its worst wildfire in over a century in August, a blaze that consumed thousands of hectares in the east of the country. This single fire caused the country to break its record for the total area burned in a year since at least 2006. EFFIS figures only include fires covering a minimum of 30 hectares. The figures may differ from reported national data due to methodological differences, and the totals are subject to change as new satellite imagery becomes available.

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Kesla’s new grapple has been engineered to meet the needs of professional timber crane operators who require a robust attachment capable of efficient loading, unloading, and timber sorting in all working conditions. Source: Timberbiz As forestry operations continue to prioritise productivity, durability and efficient handling of increasingly larger timber assortments, the demand for robust and high-capacity grapples has grown. Developed in response to these market needs, the KESLA proG60 offers enhanced strength, wear resistance and ease of maintenance for intensive everyday use. At the heart of the KESLA proG60 is a wider and reinforced grapple frame, providing excellent durability and stability when handling large timber. The grapple also features a connector rod made from cut-to-shape steel, enhancing structural strength and ensuring long service life under heavy use. Durability has been further increased through the use of 20 mm thick wear-resistant Hardox steel grapple jaws. The strong jaw construction ensures reliable performance and resistance to wear, even in intensive daily operations. Ease of maintenance has also been a key design priority. The lubrication points are clearly visible and easily accessible when the grapple is in the closed position, helping operators carry out routine maintenance quickly and efficiently. The proG60’s carefully rounded grapple jaws are designed to penetrate wood stacks smoothly and efficiently, improving timber handling performance and making loading operations faster and more productive. “Today’s timber handling professionals need equipment that not only delivers high performance but also stands up to demanding conditions year after year. The KESLA proG60 has been designed to meet these expectations with a reinforced structure, premium wear-resistant materials and practical maintenance solutions,” said Jouni Kainulainen, Kesla’s Truck and Stationary Cranes Product Manager. Key Features of the KESLA proG60 Designed specifically for large logs and pulpwood Wider and reinforced grapple frame for increased durability Connector rod manufactured from cut-to-shape steel 20 mm thick wear-resistant Hardox grapple jaws Clearly visible lubrication points in closed position for easy maintenance Carefully rounded grapple jaws for efficient penetration into wood stacks.

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A lignin-derived phenolic resin provides wood with intrinsic flame retardancy while acting as a robust bio-based adhesive and coating. Source: Timberbiz Researchers have developed a phosphorus-free and formaldehyde-free lignin-derived phenolic resin that combines intrinsic flame retardancy, robust adhesion and effective fire protection when applied as a coating on wood. The material offers a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based phenolic resins. Conventional petroleum-derived phenolic resins face growing scrutiny due to sustainability concerns, inherent flammability and limited adhesion durability. In response, a recent study introduces a lignin-derived phenolic resin, designated SALG-PR, that is both phosphorus-free and formaldehyde-free. The material was synthesised through taurine grafting via Mannich chemistry combined with glyoxal-mediated cross-linking, delivering a fully bio-based network with multifunctional performance. The resin exhibits notable intrinsic flame retardancy, reaching a UL-94 V-0 rating and a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 62.4 %, values comparable to established petroleum-based resins and to previously reported bio-based flame-retardant materials. Direct exposure to a butane torch for 300 s did not lead to burn-through, and infrared thermography confirmed effective localisation of heat within the flame-impinged region, indicating a strong barrier effect. Beyond flame retardancy, SALG-PR displayed robust adhesion to both wood and aluminium substrates, with bond strengths of 3.78 MPa and 3.42 MPa, respectively. The adhesive performance remained stable after exposure to extreme temperatures, organic solvents and acidic or alkaline environments. The authors also report potential for underwater repair applications, further extending the material’s application scope. When applied as a fire-safe coating on wood, SALG-PR increased the LOI of the treated substrate to 42.5 % and prevented burn-through during 300 s of direct torch exposure. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TG-MS) confirmed that SALG-PR releases only trace amounts of formaldehyde compared with commercial phenolic resins, addressing a persistent health and regulatory concern for indoor applications. The work outlines a lignin upcycling strategy for the development of high-performance bio-based adhesives, intrinsically flame-retardant materials and eco-friendly fire-safe coatings, with particular relevance for wood protection. Source: Tan, W. et al., Sustainable lignin upcycling into formaldehyde-free bio-based phenolic networks: intrinsic flame retardancy, robust adhesion and fire-safe coating performance. Green Chem. 28, 13894–13912 (2026).

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Established at Wilks Avenue Park on an open urban space on the eastern side of Willans Hill in Kooringal, the Tiny Forests are a small, densely packed patch of bushland that establishes 10 times quicker than a traditional forest. Source: Timberbiz The compact space encourages plant competition and accelerates the establishment of beneficial soil fungi which supports rapid plant growth. Council’s Natural Resource Management Officer Catherine Conroy said Tiny Forests help create cooler, greener urban spaces, with trees and vegetation reducing temperatures by providing shade and cooling benefits as much as 6°C on hot days. “The growth over the last year has been wonderful, especially after such a dry summer,” Ms Conroy said. “Even after experiencing several days above 40°C, the tube stock has grown four-to-five times their original height. “And because it’s been such a mild winter, the little bit of rain we’ve had over the last few weeks has seen around 25 per cent growth.” Just over 500 plants of 21 different native species were originally planted in the two garden beds, which are each around 500m2 in size. Ms Conroy said the forests had been well received by the local community. The Tiny Forest on the side of Willans Hill, where the original seedlings have grown four-fold over the last 12 months. “We placed a bench seat in the forest, and I’ve seen residents using it. It gives a great view over east Wagga. “When we held a working bee to do some weeding and mulching back in May, over 20 people turned up to help out for a couple of hours, and it was great hearing them talking about where they lived in relation to the forest and each other. “We have another working bee coming up on 12 September, mainly for some weeding and replacing some of the plants – about 5% of the total – that didn’t make it through the year. “We invite members of the community to visit the Tiny Forest, and while they enjoy the space, maybe take some water from the bucket provided and spend a few minutes watering a few of the plants.” It is hoped that after three years the forests will be self-sustaining. “We’d like to see more Tiny Forests, but we want to make them community-driven projects as happens in other cities like Canberra,” Ms Conroy said. Tiny Forests are a positive initiative that help address the objectives of both the Wagga Wagga Urban Cooling Strategy 2022-2052 and the Wagga Wagga Biodiversity Strategy 2030: Maldhangilanha.

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Recent Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao research has provided valuable insights into how forest soils absorb methane. Source: Timberbiz Run over two years, the research looked at the methane uptake of soils in three planted forests – Orton Bradley Park and McLeans Island in Canterbury and Kaingaroa (New Zealand’s largest commercial pine plantation, in the Bay of Plenty) – that represent ‘typical’ New Zealand forests. This is the first time methane uptake in soils has been measured at multiple sites with sampling spanning all four seasons. Supported by Lincoln University and funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries, the study aimed to help the agricultural sector addressing the continued challenge of reducing emissions. Planted forest soils are good habitats for the types of bacteria that absorb methane (CH4) as a source of carbon and energy. By quantifying how much methane is consumed by the bacteria at field sites, researchers can better understand the role planted forest soils play in New Zealand’s drive to meet emission-reduction goals. Methane flux chambers were installed at each site and samples were taken every month for a year to measure methane exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. Research lead Dr Kathryn Walker says the work is timely as New Zealand works toward meeting its emissions reductions targets. Monitoring showed soils absorbed 2.5 – 2.8kg CH4 per hectare each year, with uptake reaching up to 15g CH4 per hectare per day. There was variation in uptake rates across sites and seasons. “Considering New Zealand has 1.8 million hectares of planted forests, that’s a significant amount of methane being removed by forests each year,” Dr Walker says. “The research has helped us learn more about forestry’s capability to offset methane emissions and can be used to paint a more accurate picture of New Zealand’s total net carbon budget. For example, it shows the amount of methane uptake could offset almost all CO2 from all liquid fuels used for rail in New Zealand in 2022, or about 80 percent of CH4 emissions from natural gas production. “This study has provided a strong background to support future research,” she says. “We’ve shown New Zealand’s planted forest soils are significant methane sinks and are a promising resource that could be managed to help meet emissions reduction targets. However, there are still a lot of unknowns about methane cycling in our planted forests. There are other parts of the forest such as the tree litter on the forest floor, tree stems and needles that could influence or be involved in methane flux in the forest. “These other components need to be considered and measured before methane uptake by forest soils is included in national greenhouse gas budgeting.” The research team now has further funding from the Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) to look at whether methane uptake in forests could be increased through nutrient addition or litter layer management. “There is little understanding of the role of the litter layer in methane cycling, yet it sits right on the soil-atmosphere interface where methane uptake is occurring,” Dr Walker says. “We want to find out whether there is potential to manage this to increase methane uptake.” Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 28–35 times stronger than CO₂ and responsible for about 30 percent of global warming. Its strong warming influence but short-lived nature means tackling methane emissions offers an immediate opportunity to slow climate change.

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The chairman of two forest companies at the centre of legal action related to slash on hillsides says they were meeting industry standards as they understood them but agrees that clean-ups are needed. Source: Stuff NZ Ngāti Porou Forests Ltd (NPFL) harvested the Awatere Forest, owned by Summit Forest NZ Ltd, and is one of the parties named in an application for an enforcement order from Gisborne District Council. The enforcement order, if granted by the Environment Court, would require the company and its directors to clean up the mess the council says was left on the land. NPFL also managed and harvested Tokararangi Forest for the Ministry for Primary Industries. That application also applies to NPFL and its directors, as well as the ministry. Another enforcement order application currently before the court relates to Harakeke Forest, which, like the other two, is also near Te Araroa, about 185km northeast of Gisborne. Harakeke Forest was a joint venture owned by Hansol NZ Ltd and Ngāti Porou Whanui Forests Ltd (NPWFL). That application also applies to NPFL and its directors, as well as the ministry. Another enforcement order application currently before the court relates to Harakeke Forest, which, like the other two, is also near Te Araroa, about 185km northeast of Gisborne. Harakeke Forest was a joint venture owned by Hansol NZ Ltd and Ngāti Porou Whanui Forests Ltd (NPWFL). The application lists the companies and their directors. Harakeke Forest sits on Harakeke Station, which is Māori freehold land with 317 owners. It’s a 256-hectare pine plantation that was planted after Cyclone Bola in 1988 in an attempt to prevent further erosion on steep hillsides. It was harvested between 2017 and 2020. The resource consent granted by the council for the harvesting required the joint venture to replant the areas that were harvested, but the council says this has never been done. Slash, debris and sediment has washed off the hillsides leading to “significant environmental effects”, according to the council which inspected the site after severe storms early this year. NPFL and NPWFL have the same directors, Selwyn Parata, Tina Porou, Hayden Swann and Teepa Wawatai. Whaimutu Dewes is chair of both companies, which are based in Ruatoria. He said he “could comment on behalf of both companies in terms of the roles we have”. “We have, from the start, been co-operating with the council and its enforcement people and also with the other parties, and we are committed to remediate the damage that has been done,” he said. “Whether we can stop it is a whole other story. “We’re owned by Ngāti Porou landowners so we’re committed to make sure we can do the best job we can.” He said the companies did not feel an enforcement order was necessary and “would have preferred an abatement notice”. An abatement notice is a compliance direction made by a council whereas an enforcement order is a formal directive issued by the Environment Court. “We’re not in favour of enforcement orders. We would have preferred a more co-operative approach,” he said. Dewes said the companies had been working to address issues in the forests, but weather and other events prevented teams from “going in and blitzing the thing”. He said the company had sought an extension of time to carry out the work, but in the council’s view it had taken too long already. He said the companies did not accept that required standards had not been met, as claimed by the council. “It’s not our understanding. We’ve got people who are council-qualified experts, etc. The thing we can’t control is weather events.” Dewes said the council was requiring “a level of clean-up of harvest land and drainage, etc, which is several steps further ahead, and more complex, than had been our understanding”. “Our people that were on the ground and supervising those crews were doing it to the standard as they understood it in industry practice. “If we had a clear idea that what we were doing wasn’t up to standard, then we would have done our best to do what was needed, if we could,” he said. “This is going to take a long time to address. It can’t be done in two or three months.” The remediation work would come at a cost to the companies “but we’ll do our best and carry on”. Dewes said the companies were likely to be involved in replanting the harvested forests. “Our approach has always been that old mantra ‘right tree, right place’… In some places, natives will be the best option. That is something we will talk with landowners about. The reason we planted pine trees was because it was farmland that was sliding out to sea. “Pine trees grow more quickly and give you better root mass and more canopy cover, which are all better for holding soil. “We’re going to be doing the best job we can to deliver on expectations that the land will be in a sustainable form for the next generations. That’s our driver,” he said. The three enforcement order applications will go to mediation, after which it will be determined if hearings are required. Stuff has approached Hansol NZ Ltd, an offshoot of Korea-based Hansol Homedeco Co Ltd, and its director, Juhyun Bang, for comment.

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