There doesn’t seem to be an end to the bad news affecting B.C. forestry workers; today is no exception.
West Fraser has announced that it intends to permanently close of its Chasm lumber mill near 70 Mile and the eliminate the third shift from its 100 Mile House lumber operation later this summer.
Company President and CEO Ray Ferris blames a combination of factors for the cuts.
It is the result of well-documented timber supply constraints owing to B.C.’s devastating Mountain Pine Beetle infestation, recent record wildfires, price declines in lumber markets and high saw log costs,” stated Ferris in a news release. “As a result of reduced harvesting levels set by the Chief Forester of B.C., there is insufficient timber supply to support the current lumber production capacity of the lumber mills in these locations. Today’s decision better aligns West Fraser’s production in the region with current timber supply.”
The curtailments and closures are expected to impact about 176 workers at Chasm and approximately 34 employees at 100 Mile House.
The moves will chop 314 million board feet of West Fraser’s lumber production.
