PHILOMATH, Oregon — Interfor’s Philomath sawmill will see an indefinite curtailment of operations and a gradual wind-down, expected to be completed by the end of March. In an early February news release, the company cited persistent high log costs and ongoing weak lumber market conditions as reasons for the curtailment and eventual closure. Losses quadrupled between the third and fourth quarters last year. The corporation acquired the Philomath mill from Georgia Pacific in 2021. It is unclear from company statements how many employees may be affected. Executive Vice-President of U.S. Operations Bruce Luxmoore said in a statement that the decision was “necessary in light of the evolving operating and market environment.” …The Philomath sawmill produced a mix of kiln-dried and green Hemlock and Douglas-fir dimensional lumber and timbers and had an annual capacity of 220 million board-feet.