Congressman Nick Langworthy is pressing Canada's government for answers in regard to the wildfire smoke that has been blanketing much of New York State. In a statement Thursday evening, Langworthy accused Canada of "refus[ing] to properly manage its forests," and called on the nation to take "meaningful action to prevent these catastrophic wildfires and protect both Canadians and Americans." Here is Langworthy's full statement:
Americans should not be forced to breathe hazardous air year after year because Canada refuses to properly manage its forests. This is no longer a one-time emergency -- it's becoming an annual public health crisis. That is unacceptable.
I am reaching out to Members of Parliament and the Canadian Ambassador to demand answers about the devastating impact Canada's forest management failures are having on Western New York, the Southern Tier, and communities across the United States. Millions of Americans are paying the price for policies they had no role in creating.
We can all accept that nature is unpredictable. But repeated failures to reduce wildfire risk and manage forests responsibly are a policy choice. The United States cannot continue accepting dangerous air quality every summer as the new normal.
Canada must take meaningful action to prevent these catastrophic wildfires and protect both Canadians and Americans. If it refuses to do so, there should be consequences. Our citizens should not be forced to suffer because another nation’s government failed to do its job.
Smoky air Wednesday evening at Dunkirk's Point Gratiot Park. Photo by Tony Lynn
