Manitoba Premier Criticizes U.S. Congress Over Wildfire Claims

Manitoba’s Premier, Wab Kinew, has publicly challenged two U.S. congressmen, Tom Tiffany and Brad Finstad, who called for improved Canadian wildfire management. This critique arose in response to smoke drifting into the United States from Canada, affecting air quality in several regions. Kinew’s remarks came on July 10, 2023, as he declared a province-wide state of emergency due to ongoing wildfires in northern Manitoba.

The congressmen, representing Wisconsin and Minnesota, expressed concerns in a letter to U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Kirsten Hillman, highlighting that their constituents were facing “suffocating Canadian wildfire smoke.” They criticized Canada’s wildfire mitigation strategies and emphasized the need for better forest management to prevent fires. Kinew countered these claims, stating, “I’ve shaken the hands of American firefighters helping us in northern Manitoba… I would challenge these ambulance chasers to do the same.” He described the situation as a time for solidarity rather than political point-scoring.

On the same day as Kinew’s statements, the province announced that at least two fatalities have been reported this year due to the wildfires. In total, Manitoba has recorded 297 wildfires in 2023, with a breakdown indicating that 126 of these were human-caused, while 166 were attributed to natural causes such as lightning. Five fires remain under investigation, according to government data.

The ongoing wildfire crisis is not isolated to Canada. Wildfires have affected approximately 5.4 million hectares in Canada as of July 15, 2023, contributing to hazardous air quality that has impacted both sides of the border. In a response to the congressional letter, Natural Resources Canada emphasized the long-standing cooperation between the U.S. and Canada in managing wildfires, citing shared resources and personnel. The agency indicated that climate change, including prolonged droughts, is a significant contributor to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires.

Kinew’s comments also reflect the broader implications of the current wildfire season. He urged lawmakers not to diminish the severity of the crisis, stating, “People are grieving. Communities are still at risk. Let’s focus on helping.” The premier stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling this environmental challenge, particularly as the fire season continues to unfold.

In addition to Kinew, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand addressed the congressional concerns by referencing a unified G7 statement aimed at enhancing forest fire management. The G7’s Kananaskis Wildfire Charter pledges cooperation among member countries in wildfire prevention and mitigation. Furthermore, Kinew revealed that 25 emergency responders from Minnesota are currently aiding Manitoba’s firefighting efforts.

While Kinew and other officials underscore the need for a cooperative approach, Congressman Tiffany criticized what he termed “preservationist” policies in both Canada and parts of the U.S. He argued that these policies hinder effective forest management, suggesting that logging restrictions have contributed to the escalating wildfire crisis.

The wildfire situation has prompted serious public health concerns. Smoke from the fires has resulted in dangerous air quality levels across both Canada and the U.S., leading to school closures, event cancellations, and increased hospitalizations. As firefighting efforts continue, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported that there are currently 566 active fires across the country, with new fires emerging daily.

As Manitoba navigates this challenging wildfire season, the emphasis remains on collaborative action and effective management strategies to mitigate risk and protect communities.