MDF plant could be back online in a month, Plum Creek says

Plum Creek Timber Co. officials said June 11 that they should have the medium density fiberboard plant in Columbia Falls up and running in about a month. The company also had praise for the efforts of firefighters who battled the June 10 blaze.

“Everyone at Plum Creek commends the efforts by fire departments to protect the people working at the facility. Their work is greatly appreciated,” Tom Ray, vice president of northwest resources and manufacturing, said in a release issued by the company.

The plant was rocked by two explosions and a subsequent fire. About 70 firefighters fought the fire, and miraculously no plant employees were seriously injured in the blast.

Plum Creek's sawmill and plywood plant in Columbia Falls will remain operational while the MDF plant is repaired. Production at the MDF facility has been suspended while the company investigates the exact cause of the incident, Ray said.

“Operations are expected to resume in approximately 30 days (at the MDF plant),” Ray said. “We will provide an update to our plans should that be necessary.”

The seven-acre MDF facility employs 183 people.