Resolute Forest Products, a leading forest products company, has temporarily closed four sawmills in Quebec due to nearby fires and a related log shortage. The decision was announced by Resolute Vice President Seth Kursman, who said that workers were digging trenches near the facilities to suppress the fires. The closed mills mainly produce softwood lumber for North American markets. Kursman added that it was too early to predict whether the company may need to declare force majeure or could make up the lost production later in the year.
Resolute’s decision to shut down the sawmills was made in response to the wildfires that have been raging in Quebec. The fires have been fueled by hot, dry weather and high winds, and have destroyed thousands of hectares of forest. The company’s decision to suspend operations was aimed at ensuring the safety of its workers and protecting its assets from damage.
The closure of the four sawmills is expected to have a significant impact on Resolute’s production capacity. The mills produce around 500 million board feet of lumber per year, which is equivalent to approximately 14% of the company’s total production capacity. The shutdown will also affect the company’s employees, many of whom will be temporarily laid off until the mills can be reopened.
Resolute has stated that it is working closely with the authorities to monitor the situation and assess the impact of the fires on its operations. The company has also paused harvesting activities in areas near the fires to prevent further damage to the forest.
The wildfires in Quebec are part of a larger trend of increasing forest fires around the world. Climate change is making forests more vulnerable to fires by creating hotter, drier conditions that are more conducive to wildfires. In addition, human activities such as logging and land use changes are also contributing to the problem. As a result, companies like Resolute are facing increasing risks to their operations and assets from wildfires.
Resolute Forest Products is a global leader in the forest products industry, with operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company produces a wide range of products, including newsprint, specialty papers, and wood products. Resolute is committed to sustainable forest management and has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint.
In conclusion, the temporary closure of Resolute’s four sawmills in Quebec due to nearby fires and a related log shortage is a significant development for the company. The shutdown is expected to have a major impact on Resolute’s production capacity and employees. The company is working closely with the authorities to monitor the situation and assess the impact of the fires on its operations. The wildfires in Quebec are part of a larger trend of increasing forest fires around the world, and companies like Resolute are facing increasing risks to their operations and assets from these fires.
