Timber production on the Colville Reservation in Washington. Photo from Omak Wood Products

A plywood mill owned by the Colville Tribes of Washington will be closing in early 2016, putting more than 175 people out of work.

The loss of a major customer, devastating fires and declining plywood prices were cited as reasons for the closure of Omak Wood Products. The Colville Tribal Federal Corporation, a tribal entity, owns the mill, which had only reopened in 2013 following a prior shutdown.

“We are working very hard, in concert with CTFC, to develop a new business plan that will sustain the mill operations and continue jobs for our communities," Chairman Jim Boyd said in a press release. “This is just about the worst news you can get if your family depends on one of these jobs, and this is just about the worst time of the year to get it."

Timber is a significant business on the reservation but the tribe saw a major loss of its resources to two wildfires. More than 500 square miles was affected.

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Colville Tribes see major loss of timberlands to two huge fires (09/15)