06:19 AM EDT, 09/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Western Forest Products ( WFSTF ) late Monday said it is temporarily curtailing operations at its British Columbia sawmills in the fourth quarter in response to weak market conditions.

The planned curtailments and other cuts in the third quarter will reduce lumber production by about 50 million board feet in the second half of 2025, amounting to about 6% of the company's annual lumber capacity.

The company also said it is impacted by significant increases in the U.S. softwood lumber duties in August, as well as certain factors relating to British Columbia's operating environment. These factors include a lack of available economic log supply, harvesting permitting delays and a strike by the United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 at the La-kwa sa muqw Forestry Limited Partnership.

The curtailments will be carried out through reduced operating hours, an extended holiday break and reconfigured shifting schedules.

The Chemainus sawmill, which was temporarily curtailed for the entire third quarter, will remain curtailed through the fourth quarter.