Ontario Premier Doug Ford Slams Trump Over Canada Wildfire Smoke Criticism

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has strongly criticized President Donald Trump for blaming Canada’s forest management for wildfire smoke that has spread across parts of the United States, calling the remarks "absolutely unacceptable" as the province battles one of its largest wildfire seasons.

Speaking on Saturday, Ford said Ontario is doing everything possible to contain the fires and protect affected communities. He added that Canada would support the U.S. without hesitation if the situation were reversed, emphasizing the close relationship between the neighboring countries.

Trump said on Friday that poor Canadian forest management was responsible for the smoke affecting several U.S. states and warned that the financial impact of the pollution would be added to existing tariffs on Canadian imports. The White House did not immediately respond to Ford’s criticism.

According to Ford, approximately 655,000 hectares (1.6 million acres) of forest are currently burning across Ontario. He expressed sympathy for residents who have lost homes, businesses, and recreational properties, while pledging unlimited provincial funding to safeguard communities and support emergency response efforts.

Ford also argued that the U.S. could help Canada reduce wildfire risks by removing tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. He said unrestricted lumber exports would encourage more forest harvesting, helping manage forests and lower wildfire fuel loads.

Canada’s federal Emergencies Minister Eleanor Olszewski announced that military aircraft are being deployed to evacuate residents from Fort Hope in northwestern Ontario, where some of the province’s most severe wildfires continue to burn. The remote region depends heavily on air transportation, and thousands of residents have already relocated to southern Ontario.

Natural Resources Canada reported 69 new wildfires overnight, bringing the national total to 955 active fires. Although roughly 28,500 square kilometers have burned this season—below the five-year average—strong winds have pushed thick smoke into the United States, triggering air quality alerts across several states.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified air quality as unhealthy across parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and southern Ontario, while portions of western Pennsylvania experienced very unhealthy conditions. Officials expect air quality to improve as weather conditions become more favorable.

Ontario Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris said wildfire activity has slowed over the past 24 hours, with improved weather forecast in the coming days offering hope for firefighters and affected communities.