Fires in Canada have prompted an alert from the US Embassy in Ottawa that Americans should be aware of wildfire conditions when traveling in Canada.

U.S. Travel Alert Focuses On Fires In Canada

In recent years, Canada has struggled with wildfires. Only yesterday, several provinces issued air quality alerts, including Ottawa, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. The Ottawa fire is particularly fierce and poor air quality from this fire and others has permeated the U.S.-Canadian border. Chicago, for example, also issued an air quality alert urging precautions for vulnerable residents.

This has prompted a warning from the US embassy, advising U.S. citizens to exercise caution:

“We urge U.S. citizens visiting or living in Canada to be aware of wildfire conditions in their area and follow guidance from local authorities.”

To be clear, the U.S. Department of State still lists Canada under a Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions travel advisory—the lowest level, indicating no increased risk for U.S. citizens.

But the warning is not without context. Relations between Canada and the USA have significantly deteriorated since Donald Trump took office in January. Trump has repeatedly called for Canada to be annexed as the 51st state and launched a trade war against America’s northern neighbor, accusing it of unfair practices that undermine American producers and workers.

President Trump recently upended trade negotiations between the two nations, announcing a higher 35% tariff on Canadian goods starting next month, blaming the increase in part on the flow of fentanyl.

“If Canada works with me to stop the flow of fentanyl, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter…These tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your country.” 

The rhetoric has prompted a nosedive in both tourism and business between the two nations, with air travel pared back and flight loads reduced.

Furthermore, the warning comes as GOP members of Congress have complained to the Canadian Ambassador in the USA:

“In our neck of the woods, summer months are the best time of the year to spend time outdoors recreating, enjoying time with the family, and creating new memories, but this wildfire smoke makes it difficult to do all those things.”

The letter further blames Canada for a lack of active forest management.

But Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew fired back during a press conference this week:

“This is what turns people off politics. When you’ve got a group of congresspeople trying to trivialize and make hay out of a wildfire season where we’ve lost lives in our province…

“I would challenge these ambulance chasers in the U.S. Congress to go and do the same, and to hear how much the American firefighting heroes who are here love our province.”

Kinew was referring to firefighters from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources who are assisting Manitoba in controlling the wildfires in that province.

CONCLUSION

Wildfires appear to be a new reality of spring and summer life in Canada. The U.S. has warned citizens to be mindful of this smoke, though it comes in the context of heated relations between the two countries.

Will you be traveling to Canada this summer?