West Fraser Timber to permanently close sawmill in Fraser Lake

West Fraser Timber announced that it will permanently close its sawmill in Fraser Lake, British Columbia, following an orderly wind-down. Today’s decision is the result of West Fraser’s inability to access economically viable fibre in the region. The closure of Fraser Lake Sawmill will impact approximately 175 employees. West Fraser expects to mitigate the impact on affected employees by providing work opportunities at other West Fraser operations. The mill closure will reduce West Fraser’s Canadian lumber capacity by approximately 160M board feet. West Fraser anticipates recording restructuring and impairment charges of approximately $81M in the Q4 of 2023 related to facility closures and curtailments due to availability of economic fibre sources in British Columbia.