Laminated wood products can reduce wildfire risks

Wood buildings are making a comeback in the Pacific Northwest thanks to new laminated timber products. Even very large buildings are now constructed with laminated beams and are successfully competing with steel and concrete building materials.

For example, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, is home to one of the world’s tallest “cross laminated timber” buildings. Brock Commons, a student residence, is 174 feet high. The 18-story dorm houses more than 400 students.

Cross-laminated timber has many benefits. It is fire-resistant, stronger than conventional timber, reduces atmospheric...