Canada issues air quality warnings over US wildfire smoke after Trump tariff threat

Air quality warnings have been issued in parts of Canada as smoke from American wildfires drifts north, creating hazy conditions. The province of British Columbia alerted residents on Saturday evening that smoke from fires in Washington and Oregon, fueled by thousands of lightning strikes, was affecting air quality.

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Much of this smoke is originating from fires south of the Canada-US border in Washington and Oregon.

According to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, 22 large fires are currently burning across Washington and Oregon. British Columbia has issued warnings for the Kootenay Lake and Cranbrook regions, situated along the southern border with the US.

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The cost of this pollution must of necessity be added ⁠to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying.

The situation has become politically charged, with former US President Donald Trump and other Republicans accusing Canada of poor wildfire management. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada, stating in a social media post that the "cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying." This stance comes despite the US facing its own significant wildfire challenges.

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Fighting climate change is the responsibility of all countries, including the United States.

Across Canada, 843 active wildfires were burning as of Monday, with 181 considered "out of control." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized that fighting climate change is a shared responsibility. However, Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested that instead of complaining, politicians should offer support. Canada's minister of emergency preparedness noted the country's C$12 billion investment in fire prevention over the past five years, stating that wildfire management is a "challenge that knows no borders."

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If there’s politicians out there chirping away, well maybe what you should do rather than complain is send support, send help, because we have done the exact same thing for our American friends.