Kamloops posted Feb 7, 2023 @ 04:04pm by Cheyanna Lorraine

Cariboo Pulp and Paper in Quesnel to curtail production, operations

Another mill in the BC Interior has announced a reduction in operations.

On Tuesday, West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. announced they would be curtailing operations at Cariboo Pulp and Paper in Quesnel.

The curtailment is set to begin in mid-April and then again in the fall.

“Today’s decision is the result of the decline in availability of sawmill residuals,” explains the company in a statement.

“The fibre supply challenge in British Columbia is well documented. Infestation, fire, and government policy decisions have all impacted the amount of available fibre in the province.”

<who> Photo Credit: Google Maps In addition, the company, which is owned by West Fraser and Mercer International, says the downtime will help better align their production capacity for the year with available fibre supply.

The reduction in operations may be adjusted if the fibre forecasts change.

Some of the impact on employees is expected to be mitigated through vacation scheduling and alternative work assignments.

Last month, Tolko Industries also announced that downtime at its Soda Creek and Armstrong lumber divisions would continue through the month of February.

In late December the Vernon-based forestry company initially said closures at both mills would be extended through January.

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