PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have exacerbated the already fragile softwood lumber industry and lumber producers are continuing to struggle.

Carrier Lumber and West Fraser Timber are among the latest companies to cut production, citing the U.S.-imposed duties, falling lumber prices and a lack of consumer confidence following the attacks on the U.S.

The companies claim they are also in fear of a second tariff being imposed later this month.

West Fraser announced it is closing all of its B.C. sawmills for two weeks as of Monday, while Carrier will be eliminating one shift, out of two.

Carrier president, Bill Kordyban, tells local media that "It’s just not the time where I think people are going to be excited about spending money. I think everybody’s looking inward right now and I don’t know if that will change very quickly."

The two lumber companies join Canfor, Slocan and Abitibi Consolidated on a growing list of producers who have had to scale back their operations in B.C.