Massive Fire at Weyerhaeuser Paper Facility in Washington State; Implications Unclear

On Monday, July 18, a massive fire broke out at a Weyerhaeuser paper manufacturing facility in Longview, Washington, about an hour north of Portland, Oregon. According to news reports, the fire was primarily burning in woodchip piles and log decks, and led to heavy smoke and road closures. Smoke from the fire was reportedly detected as far south as Salem, Oregon. According to KXL News, all employees and firefighting personnel are accounted for. No information has been released as to the cause of the blaze.

According to Longview fire marshal Jon Dunaway, and reported by KGW8, "There has been some equipment onsite that was damaged ... this is going to be a long-term incident in terms of being able to get through the piles and apply water and put the fire out. There's going to be an investigation at some point. That's going to be much later into this incident." Dunaway indicated an investigation into the fire would take place.

Listed on the Weyerhaeuser website as the Longview TOB and Export Yard, the 60-acre facility is categorized as a sawmill.

Printing Impressions reached out to a Weyerhaeuser official for comment to determine the fire’s implications for the paper supply, but had not heard back by press time. If received, comment from the company will be added to this article.