[Madison, WI] – State Representative Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk) is demanding that Canada face real consequences for sending wildfire smoke across our border and choking out Wisconsin communities.
“People in northern Wisconsin are fed up with waking up to hazy skies and hazardous air because Canada refuses to get its forest fires under control,” said Rep. Callahan. “This is a public-health crisis, an economic burden, and an affront to our way of life. Canada’s mismanagement is hurting Wisconsinites.”
Rep. Callahan thanks Congressman Tom Tiffany for his actions in this crisis and is calling on the rest of the federal government to stand with Wisconsin and push Canada to overhaul its forest-management practices. Including asking to consider targeted diplomatic action against Canada until the Canadian government takes meaningful steps to improve its forest management practices and contain wildfire smoke crossing into the United States.
Over the last two summers, Canadian wildfires have led to dangerous levels of smoke drifting into the U.S., triggering air quality alerts in Wisconsin, school cancelations, and health concerns especially for children, seniors, and people with asthma.
“Canada’s mismanagement and inadequate prevention of its forest wildfires are becoming our problem, and that’s not acceptable,” Rep. Callahan added. “Our farmers, loggers, and small business owners don’t get to shrug off their responsibilities and neither should Canada.”
Rep. Callahan adds, “We’ve got some of the most skilled foresters in the country right here in northern Wisconsin, if Canada needs a crash course in wildfire prevention, I’m sure we can teach them a thing or two.”
According to the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, six of the ten worst air quality cities in the nation today are in Wisconsin, highlighting the ongoing impact these fires are having on local communities.
