Biden says Canada wildfires a ‘stark reminder’ of climate change
Christian Datoc
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President Joe Biden called the wildfires raging in Canada on Thursday a “stark reminder of the impacts of climate change.”
The fires in Canada have blanketed the East Coast of the United States in smoke this week, raising air pollution levels in U.S. cities to some of the highest in the world. Much of New York was blanketed in an orange fog on Wednesday afternoon, and the White House was forced to postpone a Pride month event previously scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with singer Betty Who.
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“This morning, millions of Americans are experiencing the effects of smoke resulting from devastating wildfires burning in Canada, another stark reminder of the impacts of climate change,” Biden wrote in a statement on Thursday. “Since May, more than 600 U.S. firefighters, support personnel, and firefighting assets have been deployed, working alongside Canadian firefighters to tackle what is likely to be the worst fire season in Canadian history, and one that has huge impacts here in the United States.”
Biden said he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday and “offered any additional help Canada needs to rapidly accelerate the effort to put out these fires, particularly those in Quebec, where the fires are having the most direct impacts on American communities.”
The president additionally mobilized federal assets, including firefighters and air tankers, to help respond to the fires in Canada and claimed to be receiving regular updates from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg regarding flights grounded due to the heavy smoke.
“Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Regan is continuously monitoring air quality and providing critical updates for each relevant ZIP code; you can find the current air quality and updated public health guidance in your area at AirNow.gov,” Biden closed Thursday. “In addition, the Centers for Disease Control offers detailed recommendations on protecting yourself from the effects of wildfire smoke at CDC.gov. Stay safe and follow the guidance of your local officials.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded several questions regarding the fires at Wednesday’s briefing but had not indicated the administration planned to cancel Thursday’s Pride event, which administration officials billed as the largest LGBT celebration to occur on federal grounds.
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“I know for many communities out West, this is nothing new. They experience this every year, but it is certainly getting worse. It is yet another alarming example of the ways in which the climate crisis is disturbing our lives and our communities,” Jean-Pierre added. “That’s why, from day one, President Biden rightfully recognized the climate crisis, climate change, as one of the four crises facing our nation as he was coming into the Oval Office after being inaugurated, and why he made tackling climate change one of his top priorities and has done historic investments in doing just that.”