Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Saturday took stock of the wildfires ravaging the province while taking shots at Donald Trump’s administration, which has accused Canada of mismanaging the fires since Friday.
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“The comments made by the (Trump) administration are unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable,” Doug Ford said during a press briefing in Thunder Bay regarding the situation with wildfires, mainly in northern Ontario.
The prime minister was referring in particular to comments made on Friday by the US president, who said he “holds Canada accountable for not taking care of its forests,” accusing the country of negligence and contributing to air pollution in the United States from wildfire smoke.
“We hold Canada accountable for not taking care of its forests… and for invading the United States with polluted, dirty, unhealthy air that is dangerously and completely unacceptable in quality. I’m going to call the Prime Minister during the day to see what they are doing on this issue,” Donald Trump wrote Friday on Truth Social.
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Republican elected officials in Michigan also sent a letter to Canada’s prime minister in recent days about wildfire smoke.
Doug Ford said it was “shameful” that the US administration and some members of Congress were sending letters blaming Canada for the situation.
“They have a very, very short memory. We sent air tankers, everything was ready to help California, that was last year. We sent Hydro linemen to the Carolinas and Georgia to help them. That’s what neighbors do, right?,” he said.
Last summer, fires raged across Los Angeles County, reducing thousands of buildings to ash. SOPFEU teams sent to California to help were able to observe the destruction from the air.
Photo courtesy of MTMD
The Prime Minister of Ontario recalled that forest fires could also affect the United States.
“And we will not hesitate to be there to support our neighbors, as we should,” he added.
Wildfires are rapidly breaking out in Minnesota and Ontario
Screenshot KIRA
Doug Ford, however, wanted to clarify that this criticism was not directed at all Americans. He, in particular, indicated that he maintained contacts with the Governor of Massachusetts, Democrat Maura Healey, who offered him all possible assistance, as well as with the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz.
191 active fires
Accompanied by Emergency Preparedness and Response Minister Jill Dunlop, Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris and Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshkoff, Doug Ford also provided an overview of the fire situation in Ontario.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks during a press briefing on Saturday.
Screenshot | VAT news
The total number of active fires in the province now stands at 191, up seven from Friday. Of these, 73 are not under control, 91 are under supervision, 12 are contained and 15 are under control.
Currently, 155 fire brigades are involved, as well as about 80 tanker aircraft and helicopters. About forty additional devices are also ready to be mobilized if necessary.
Evacuation
As of Saturday morning, 10 communities had been evacuated to various municipalities in the province, while three others were still being prepared or under potential evacuation notice.
Wildfires are raging in Ontario.
Screenshot | VAT news
Doug Ford also sent a message to those affected by the fires.
“Don’t go to your camps. I repeat: don’t go to your camps. Don’t go back to your homes,” he ordered.
Ontario’s premier has assured that the government will make sure that housing, hotel rooms and food are found for evacuees so they can be taken care of.
Wildfires are raging in Ontario.
Screenshot | VAT news
“When air tankers fly over areas and see citizens who should not be there, they cannot release water. So it is imperative that you leave these areas,” he added.
Watch part of the press briefing in the video above.