The natural gas explosion in Prince George is now impacting the Kamloops economy.
Tolko industries has shut down their Heffley Creek location until further notice.
In a release, they say plywood and lumber operations in Kamloops, Quesnel and Williams Lake are impacted, but only the Heffley Creek operation has been affected.
Keta Kosman of Madisons Lumber Reporter doesn’t expect any long term closures, and says there should be little economic impact.
“We have a pretty soft market for lumber since Labour Day pretty much,” she said. “So, prices are down and producers are trying to say that they don’t have very much wood on hand.”
“We think there are at least a couple of weeks of order files.”
Tolko says it’s too early to determine what the full impact may be on operations.
Various companies across BC are reducing their natural gas use after the explosion, including Domtar’s pulp mill in Kamloops.