West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has announced the permanent closure of its sawmill in Fraser Lake, British Columbia, citing the inability to access economically viable fiber in the region. The closure will affect around 175 employees, but the company plans to offer work opportunities at other West Fraser operations to mitigate the impact. This decision, combined with recent operational changes in Arkansas and Florida, is aimed at aligning production capacity with demand and available fiber sources. The mill closure is expected to reduce West Fraser’s Canadian lumber capacity by approximately 160 million board feet. The company anticipates recording restructuring and impairment charges of approximately $81 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to facility closures and curtailments in British Columbia. West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with operations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. For more information about West Fraser, visit www.westfraser.com.