US President Donald Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the World Cup Final on Sunday to get control of wildfires burning across Canada, saying the smoke had been "poisoning our air" in the US. Trump said that if the US can help, it will, but added that Canada might have to pay damages.
More than 900 wildfires are raging across Canada, forcing thousands of people to evacuate, destroying homes and burning some 28,000 sq km (11,000 sq m) of land. Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Monday said Trump should offer "his closest allies and friends" support "rather than sit there and threaten tariffs" as the fires and the smoke continue to strain relations between Canada and the US.
What did Trump say about the smoke and tariffs?
Trump's remarks to Carney at the game on Sunday came after he threatened last week to impose new tariffs on Canada to cover what he described as the "incalculable" cost of the smoke's impact on the US.
If we can help them, we'll help them. But maybe they should pay some damages or something
The US president posted the threat on social media on Friday as thick smoke shrouded Washington DC and New York City while drifting across a large swathe of the eastern US.
How did Doug Ford respond?
Ford said on Monday that the dispute with Canada's neighbour could be maddening, and he urged Trump to focus on assistance rather than threats. Canada has helped during natural disasters in the US, he noted, including Hurricane Helene and wildfires in California.
I get frustrated just listening to a bunch of rubbish
Maybe one day you're going to need our help
He made the comments to reporters at a press conference. In Ontario, some 1,800 people have been evacuated due to the wildfires, according to Ford.
What happened in affected communities?
Whitewater Lake First Nation in Ontario, which consists largely of seasonal camps and has no full-time residents, was burned over the weekend. Chief Pauline Drake told CBC News on Sunday that infrastructure, community homes and personal property were destroyed.
It was full of beaches, sand beaches, good fishing, good hunting - the wildlife was beautiful. We had eagles that were always there
I don't know how the wildlife is now. That's very concerning, because they were part of our upbringing there.
Over the weekend, Ford visited Thunder Bay, Ontario, and promised to "do and spend whatever it takes to protect people from these devastating wildfires".
How serious is the situation in western Canada?
In the western Canadian province of British Columbia, the entire city of Kimberley has been placed under an evacuation alert, affecting some 9,000 people. The alert adds to the wide-ranging emergency response as wildfires continue to spread across multiple provinces.
What is Carney doing in response?
Carney said in a statement on Sunday that he had mobilized more than 5,000 firefighters and nearly 300 waterbombers, helicopters and evacuation aircraft "to contain, control, and mitigate the fires". He said the response depends on people working to keep Canadians safe.
It's an enormous, complex effort that ultimately depends on dedicated and brave individuals who work relentlessly to keep Canadians safe,
Key Facts
- Trump raised the wildfire issue with Carney during the World Cup Final on Sunday.
- More than 900 wildfires are burning across Canada.
- Some 28,000 sq km (11,000 sq m) of land has burned.
- Ontario has evacuated some 1,800 people, according to Doug Ford.
- Kimberley, British Columbia, is under an evacuation alert affecting about 9,000 people.
