FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Dense smoke from massive wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota has significantly worsened air quality in a large number of areas of the United States, forcing authorities to issue warnings of dangerous levels of pollution.
According to the Canadian Wildfire Information System, 937 active fires had been recorded as of Saturday, with most of them still out of control.
US President Donald Trump reacted to the situation on the Truth Social platform, accusing Canada of poor forest management.
"This is willful negligence and is becoming an annual problem costing the United States billions of dollars," Trump wrote. He added that the cost of the pollution should be included in the tariffs the U.S. imposes on Canada.
Trump also announced that he will hold a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss steps to be taken regarding the situation.
On the other hand, the Canadian Minister of Emergency Management stated that Canada and the United States continue to cooperate closely in dealing with fires, emphasizing that the two countries have a long history of coordination in this regard. She underlined that since 2020, the Canadian government has invested about $12 billion in forest protection and fire prevention measures.
Air pollution has hit some of America's largest cities hard. Detroit was ranked as the city with the most polluted air in the world, while Washington and Chicago also recorded very high levels of pollution. For this reason, authorities have urged citizens to limit exposure to outdoor environments and avoid unnecessary outings.
The situation has also raised questions about the holding of the World Cup final, scheduled to be played on Sunday, July 19, in New Jersey, as the smoke could affect air quality during the match.
Experts warn that fine smoke particles produced by fires pose a serious health risk, especially to the respiratory system. According to them, the smoke contains not only burnt wood and vegetation residues, but also particles of burnt plastic, metals and other materials, becoming more toxic as it spreads through the atmosphere.
Scientists point out that climate change is prolonging the fire season, as rising temperatures and prolonged periods of drought create conditions that favor the spread and prolongation of flames for weeks.
Meanwhile, fires continue to burn in several Canadian provinces and in forested areas near the US border. Authorities warn that strong winds and unstable weather conditions are making it increasingly difficult to control them.
This comes a day before Argentina and Spain play in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where about 80,000 people are expected to attend.
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