Forest fires have inflicted significant damage to a region, leaving several paper mills destroyed in their wake. As such, the supply of paper in the region has been significantly reduced. Without government intervention, which of the following is likely to occur? A shortage of paper will persist indefinitely unless government action is taken to increase paper production in the region.

A temporary shortage of paper will be remedied as consumers bid up prices, and paper production increases due to the rising profits associated with higher prices.