What to know
- U.S. lawmakers in New York and Michigan are criticizing Canada’s wildfire management practices as smoke continues drifting across the border.
- New York Congressman Nick Langworthy called the recurring smoke events an “annual public health crisis” and urged Canada to take further action.
- Michigan representatives sent an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for immediate wildfire prevention efforts.
- Ontario says it has deployed hundreds of firefighters and aircraft to battle wildfires, while the federal government has pledged additional support.
U.S. politicians are criticizing Canadian governments over wildfire management as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to drift south, affecting air quality in parts of the United States.
Officials in New York and Michigan are calling on Canada to take further action to reduce wildfire risks, saying communities south of the border are being impacted by recurring smoke events.
Nick Langworthy, who represents New York’s 23rd Congressional District, took to social media Thursday to criticize Canadian officials over forest management practices as wildfire smoke created hazy conditions across the state.
Langworthy said Americans are being forced to breathe unhealthy air year after year because Canada has not done enough to manage its forests.
“This is no longer a one-time emergency; it’s becoming an annual public health crisis. That is unacceptable,” Langworthy said.
Langworthy shared that he is reaching out to members of Parliament and the Canadian ambassador to demand answers about what he described as Canada’s “forest management failures” and the impact they are having on Americans.
“Millions of Americans are paying the price for policies they had no role in creating. We can all accept that nature is unpredictable. But repeated failures to reduce wildfire risk and manage forests responsibly are a policy choice,” he wrote.
Langworthy urged the Canadian government to take “meaningful” action to protect both Canadians and Americans, warning that further consequences could follow if more steps are not taken.
“Our citizens should not be forced to suffer because another nation’s government failed to do its job,” the congressman said.
Michigan lawmakers call for action from Canada
Langworthy is not the only U.S. politician criticizing the Canadian government over wildfire smoke.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Michigan representatives Jack Bergman, John James, Lisa McClain and John Moolenaar called on Canada to take immediate action as wildfire smoke continues affecting Michigan communities.
“We are done accepting apologies in place of action. If Canada will not manage its forests to prevent these fires, the United States will look elsewhere, and act on our own, to protect our people,” the letter said.
The lawmakers said U.S. agencies could explore direct involvement in cross-border fuel reduction efforts and firefighting capacity if Canada does not take further steps.
Ontario and federal governments respond to wildfire situation
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said the province has deployed nearly 156 fire crews, along with close to 50 water bombers and helicopters, to wildfire zones across northern Ontario.
Ford also acknowledged support from other jurisdictions across Canada and North America, including Alberta and Yukon.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the federal government is prepared to provide additional assistance to support Canadians and help fight wildfires as needed.
