Trump urges Canada to control wildfires as smoke blankets US cities

US President Donald Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the World Cup Final that Canada should get control of the wildfires burning across the country, saying the smoke had been “poisoning our air” in the United States and suggesting Canada might pay damages.

More than 900 wildfires are burning across Canada, forcing thousands to evacuate and destroying homes. Officials report about 28,000 sq km of land has burned and numerous communities have faced evacuation orders.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized Trump’s remarks, saying Canada has assisted the US during natural disasters and urging cooperation rather than threats of tariffs. Ford said some 1,800 people have been evacuated in Ontario and visited affected communities, promising to mobilize resources to protect residents.

Whitewater Lake First Nation in Ontario, largely composed of seasonal camps with no full-time residents, was burned over the weekend, Chief Pauline Drake told CBC News. She described the loss of beaches, wildlife and community property and expressed concern about the impact on local wildlife.

In British Columbia, the city of Kimberley was placed under an evacuation alert affecting roughly 9,000 people. Prime Minister Mark Carney said more than 5,000 firefighters and nearly 300 waterbombers, helicopters and evacuation aircraft have been mobilized to contain and mitigate the fires.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The president’s public remarks to Prime Minister Carney at the World Cup Final highlighted bilateral tensions tied to cross-border smoke impacts. Canadian officials reported large-scale fire activity, extensive evacuations and substantial firefighting mobilization, while provincial leaders emphasized ongoing response efforts and mutual aid history.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• US President Trump urged Canada to control wildfires and suggested possible damages.
• Over 900 wildfires have burned around 28,000 sq km, prompting thousands of evacuations.
• Canada mobilized more than 5,000 firefighters and nearly 300 aircraft to fight the fires.