KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The fallout from the U.S.-imposed tariff on softwood lumber continues, as Weyerhaeuser sawmills announce they will lay off more than 500 workers at four sawmills before year-end.

Mills in Kamloops, Vevenby, Princeton and Okanagan Falls will stop production for three weeks each, eliminating the production of 30 million board feet of lumber.

Weyerhaeuser spokesman, Larry Lemon, tells local media that "I can’t recall when we did something this extensive. We had downtime in the spring, but not to this extent."

There is, however, a possible light at the end of the tunnel. Dozens of forestry workers in northwestern B.C. are expected to get back to work if the Forests Ministry releases $2.5 million in frozen Renewal B.C. money.