The Vancouver Sun reports in its Thursday edition that West Fraser Timber is closing one U.S. sawmill and indefinitely curtailing another because of high fibre costs and soft lumber markets. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Sun says that the Vancouver-based company is closing its Maxville, Fla., sawmill and indefinitely curtailing operations at its Huttig, Ark., sawmill by the end of the month. West Fraser says the closure of the Maxville sawmill will affect around 80 employees, while the curtailment of the Huttig sawmill will affect 140 workers. The company says it will mitigate the impact on employees by providing opportunities at its other operations. West Fraser says it expects restructuring and impairment charges of about $50-million in the fourth quarter of 2023 as a result. The decision will reduce West Fraser's U.S. lumber capacity by around 270 million feet. West Fraser closed Wednesday at $114.14, down $1.49 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.