Toronto 
Canadian wildfire smoke has again become a political flashpoint in the United States, with President Donald Trump and several Michigan Republicans accusing Canada of failing to control the problem.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said the United States was being “invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air” because Canada was not properly maintaining its forests or clearing brush and debris. He called the situation “willful negligence” and said he planned to contact Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Trump also claimed the smoke was costing the United States billions of dollars. He suggested those costs should be added to tariffs paid by Canada.
The pressure continued Friday when Republican Congressman Tom Barrett raised the possibility of delaying the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
This was my view flying into Lansing this afternoon because Canadian wildfire smoke is pouring into Michigan. Do you think we should delay the Gordie Howe Bridge opening until Canada takes responsibility and gets control of these fires? pic.twitter.com/Dty09ab4q2
— Congressman Tom Barrett (@RepTomBarrett) July 16, 2026
“Do you think we should delay the Gordie Howe Bridge opening until Canada takes responsibility and gets control of these fires?” Barrett asked in a post on X, pointing to smoke entering Michigan.
Four other Republican members of Michigan’s congressional delegation, Jack Bergman, John James, Lisa McClain and John Moolenaar, also sent Carney a letter demanding specific action.
The lawmakers said Michigan residents were once again facing air quality alerts, while hospitals were treating children, dialysis patients and older adults affected by smoke.
“This is the third consecutive year” they have raised the issue with Canadian officials, the letter said.
The group blamed what it described as insufficient forest thinning, fuel reduction and prescribed burns. It also asked Canada to explain what funded and measurable steps had been taken since last summer.
“American lungs are paying the price for Canadian inaction, year after year,” the lawmakers wrote.
Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford thanked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey for supporting Ontario’s firefighting response.
“Neighbours have each other’s backs, which is why Ontario has always been there for our American partners in their time of need,” Ford said. He also praised Ontario fire crews for “heroically fighting the wildfires in northern Ontario.”
Neighbours have each other’s backs, which is why Ontario has always been there for our American partners in their time of need.
I want to thank @GovTimWalz and @MassGovernor for their collaboration and support as our fire crews continue heroically fighting the wildfires in… pic.twitter.com/RHGdvmzEYh
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) July 17, 2026
Wildfires are continuing to burn in Canada. As of the morning of July 17, Ontario’s Northeast Region had 61 active wildland fires, including 18 that were not under control. Officials confirmed 20 new fires in the region that day, with the largest, Cochrane 44, covering 117 hectares.
Five new fires were also discovered in the Northwest Region by the evening of July 16. Aircraft, helicopters, ground crews and heavy equipment have been deployed to several fire sites.
