MADAWASKA -- Between 500 and 600 workers at a northern Maine paper mill are being temporarily laid off because of declining demand.

Fraser Papers spokesman Bill Peterson said the furlough will begin next week and last for 10 to 14 days. By the end of next week, only 112 of the mill's 712 workers might be left to work two of the mill's six papermaking machines.

Peterson said the other machines are expected to resume operating by March 9.

The company recently implemented a policy of running machines only with confirmed orders in hand as it deals with the global economic slowdown and fluctuating paper demand.

Earlier this month, Fraser furloughed about 140 workers at its East Millinocket mill for 28 days.