Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 02 March 2009 -- West Fraser today announced additional lumber production curtailments in response to continuing extremely weak demand. West Fraser intends to implement market-related curtailments at seven of its British Columbia sawmills. Curtailments will be implemented by shutdowns at the seven facilities and will range from one to two weeks in length, commencing 16 March 2009.

Total production curtailed is expected to be approximately 44 million board feet. A total of 1160 employees will be affected by these curtailments. These curtailments are in addition to production currently curtailed at the company’s Canadian facilities of approximately 1120 million board feet on an annualized basis. These curtailments reflect the continuing weakening of demand as the severe downturn of the U.S. housing market continues.

West Fraser is an integrated wood products company producing lumber, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp, linerboard, kraft paper, and newsprint. West Fraser shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “WFT.”