WASHINGTON: Four Republican members of the US Congress have criticized Canada’s handling of its ongoing wildfire crisis, accusing Ottawa of failing to take sufficient action to prevent smoke from drifting into the United States.
In a joint letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Michigan lawmakers described Canada’s alleged lack of action as “unacceptable,” arguing that persistent wildfire smoke has severely affected air quality across several US states.
Carney did not respond directly to the accusations but emphasized that Canada and the United States share a responsibility to address climate change and strengthen cooperation in managing increasingly severe wildfire seasons.
According to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, more than 890 wildfires were active across Canada as of Friday, with the majority burning out of control. Ontario alone has reported over 190 active fires, many of which remain uncontained.
The wildfire season has already scorched nearly 3 million hectares of land, making it one of Canada’s most destructive fire seasons in recent years.
Smoke from the fires has spread across large parts of the northeastern and midwestern United States, affecting states including Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Authorities have issued hazardous air quality alerts across the region, prompting the cancellation of numerous outdoor events and urging residents to limit outdoor activities.
The cross-border impact of the wildfires has intensified debate over wildfire management, climate resilience, and environmental cooperation between Canada and the United States.
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