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Lawmakers Object to Canadian Wildfire Smoke
Smoke drifting south from wildfires in Canada is making it hard for Americans to enjoy the summer season, six members of Congress said in a letter sent to Canada’s embassy.
“We are writing today on behalf of our constituents who have had to contend with choking Canadian wildfire smoke filling the air as summer begins,” they told Ambassador Kirsten Hillman.
Lawmakers Who Signed the Letter
The letter was signed by Tom Tiffany and Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin along with Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad, Pete Stauber, and Tom Emmer of Minnesota.
Tom Emmer is a senior lawmaker, currently serving as Majority Whip in the House of Representatives.
Concerns and Requests Raised
The six Republican lawmakers asked, “We would like to know what steps your government is taking to address wildfires and the smoke drifting south.”
They continued, “Our constituents have been restricted in their ability to go outside and safely breathe due to the hazardous air quality caused by the wildfire smoke.”
They added that summer is typically the best time for families to enjoy outdoor activities, but the smoke has made it hard to do so.
Canada’s Response to the Complaint
Tarryn Elliott, spokesperson for Canada’s embassy in Washington DC, told the BBC that the Canadian government “takes wildfire prevention, response, and mitigation extremely seriously.”
She confirmed the letter was received, shared with the relevant Canadian agencies, and that a formal reply would be provided in due course.
Wildfires and Climate Pressures
Canada experiences wildfires every summer, with 2023 being the worst season on record—eight people died, and an area larger than England was burned.
This year so far, 2,672 fires have ignited, with May and June especially severe across western Canada, forcing around 30,000 people to evacuate in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The lawmakers attributed the problem to a “lack of active forest management” and instances of arson, suggesting improved technology and intervention could help reverse the trend.
According to Canada’s Ministry of Natural Resources, wildfires play a role in the natural regeneration of boreal forests and are often sparked by lightning.
Scientists have connected intensifying wildfire seasons to climate change, noting that Canada is warming at twice the global average, while the Arctic is warming about three times as fast.
