According to a press release issued, Anthony Timberlands, Inc. Bearden Pine Sawmill in Ouachita County suffered a major fire which destroyed one of the primary breakdown departments. The fire was reported at near midnight New Year's Eve. It began and was contained within the bandmill which acts as the main department for breaking down large logs at the bearden facility. Undamaged in the fire was the newer, higher production, small log processing sharp chain mill.
According to ATI President Steven M. Anthony, the bandmill accounts for roughly 15% of total mill production. He stated, "We can operate the rest of the mill without it but will need to replace it in order to maintain the capability of processing the larger logs produced from area timberland. While there may be some electrical work needed in order to bypass the damaged areas, we anticipate the remainder of the mill to resume operations within a week, albeit, at slightly reduced production levels."
The Bearden mill employs roughly 215 employees, twelve of which work in the damaged area. Those employees (the 12) will be reassigned to other departments within the mill. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Area fire departments from Camden, Fordyce, Harmony Grove, and East Camden were quickly on the scene and were able to keep the damage isolated to the bandmill, insuring the possibility for continued operation of the bearden sawmill. The fire comes on the heals of a tornado which struck the mill on December 27, doing only minor damage.
According to ATI President Steven M. Anthony, the bandmill accounts for roughly 15% of total mill production. He stated, "We can operate the rest of the mill without it but will need to replace it in order to maintain the capability of processing the larger logs produced from area timberland. While there may be some electrical work needed in order to bypass the damaged areas, we anticipate the remainder of the mill to resume operations within a week, albeit, at slightly reduced production levels."
The Bearden mill employs roughly 215 employees, twelve of which work in the damaged area. Those employees (the 12) will be reassigned to other departments within the mill. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Area fire departments from Camden, Fordyce, Harmony Grove, and East Camden were quickly on the scene and were able to keep the damage isolated to the bandmill, insuring the possibility for continued operation of the bearden sawmill. The fire comes on the heals of a tornado which struck the mill on December 27, doing only minor damage.
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