Latest news with #BuildandMobilizeFoundationalWildlandFireKnowledge
Global News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Canada vows more wildfire action as smoke sparks U.S. complaints
Canada is committed to doing more to prevent and control devastating wildfires, federal officials said Tuesday as the resulting smoke sparks formal complaints and calls for action from U.S. lawmakers. But Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to the federal energy and natural resources minister, added the growing spread of blazes and smoke beyond Canada's borders underscores the need for an international fight against climate change that scientists say is fueling more destructive wildfire seasons. 'There's no people that want to do more about wildfires than Canadians,' Hogan told reporters in Calgary after announcing $45.7 million in funding for wildfire prevention and risk assessment research projects. 'We've seen this in the smoke that clogs our cities, we've seen this in our communities that are evacuated. 'But I think this also underlines the international challenges that are brought on by climate change. The consequences do not rest in one jurisdiction, which is why we need to globally tackle this problem, and it's going to require the work of people across the globe to make the world safer again.' Story continues below advertisement A group of Republican state lawmakers from Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota last week filed a formal complaint against Canada to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and the International Joint Commission, a binational organization that resolves disputes on shared water and air quality. The Republican lawmakers called for an investigation of Canada's wildfire management practices and for potential remedies under international law. 2:26 Kinew accuses group of Republicans of pitching 'timber tantrum' over wildfire smoke Republican politicians at other levels of government have also been voicing concerns about Canada's wildfires. Last month, Michigan Rep. John James sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney saying his constituents are choking on toxic wildfire smoke, after another group of Republican members of Congress expressed similar concerns to Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman earlier in July. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Canada is seeing its second-worst wildfire season on record, with fires burning in a majority of provinces across the country and spreading firefighting resources thin. Story continues below advertisement The research funding announced Tuesday will go toward 20 research projects aimed at strengthening wildfire risk assessments and improving mitigation and prevention measures, the government said. Those projects will be funded through Ottawa's Build and Mobilize Foundational Wildland Fire Knowledge program. Another 10 Indigenous-led projects will also receive funding through the Supporting and Mobilizing Indigenous Fire Knowledge grant program, which seeks to build Indigenous forest management and community protection practices into Canada's wildfire prevention strategies. 'This is about building a body of knowledge for everybody and applying that knowledge specifically to resist wildfires in those communities most impacted,' Hogan said. The $45.7 million total is drawn from previously-announced funding for those two research grant programs. Hogan said some of the work done by the projects receiving funding 'will bear fruit nearly immediately' on the current wildfire situation by informing where resources should be better allocated. Most of the work will be forward-looking and help prepare for future seasons, he acknowledged. Story continues below advertisement 'There will be some short-term benefits, but it will be really longer term that you'll see the most significant benefits,' he said. The announcement itself was short on details on what specific research will be funded, but Hogan pointed to two Indigenous-led projects in Alberta as examples. One project led by the Swan River First Nation is testing a 'wildfire risk assessment and scenario exploration tool' that will help incorporate wildfire risk into land management policies and development planning. Another project, the Blood Tribe Fire Guardianship Program, aims to develop a network of Indigenous youth and community members to 'integrate cultural burning, habitat restoration, and intergenerational knowledge transfer' into community fire mitigation strategies. 7:33 Canada faces second-worst wildfire season on record The latest figures posted by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) suggest the fires this year have torn through 74,000 square kilometres, an area larger than the size of New Brunswick. Story continues below advertisement That surpasses the next worst season in 1989 and is about half the area burned during the record-setting 2023 season, according to a federal database of wildfire seasons dating back to 1972. Last year's fires were also devastating, including the one that nearly destroyed the Alberta town of Jasper. Natural Resources Canada has estimated that fire suppression costs could double by 2040 as the country faces ever-worsening wildfire seasons, Hogan said. 'Everyone is seized with wildfires right now' across all levels of government as the consequences continue to grow, he added. 'It's incumbent on governments across all levels to do what they can to both avoid these things happening in the first place and respond to them as rapidly as possible.' The CIFFC's current situation report said there were 719 active fires burning in Canada as of Tuesday, with 165 of them classified as out of control. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said in a statement last week that Canada's recent wildfires offer a 'stark reminder' of the countries' shared challenges, noting the U.S. and Canada have 'a long history' of supporting one another in times of crisis. 'Canadians stood with us during the tragic California wildfires earlier this year, and we are committed to standing with Canada now,' he said. Story continues below advertisement Wildfires burning across multiple American states, including California, have sent smoke into nearby communities and into Canada in recent years. —with files from the Canadian Press
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Canada Invests to Build and Mobilize Knowledge on Wildfires Français
CALGARY, AB, Aug. 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Wildfire season is in full effect across much of Canada, and Canadians are facing significant impacts. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadians and ensuring our wildfire resilience, prevention, mitigation and recovery are best-in-class by advancing wildfire knowledge, science and innovation. Today, Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Tim Hodgson, announced $45.7 million in funding for 30 projects across Canada through Natural Resources Canada's Build and Mobilize Foundational Wildland Fire Knowledge program. These projects are driving research focused on protecting Canadians from the growing threat of wildfires, strengthening wildfire risk assessments and improving mitigation and adaptive forestry practices. We are also helping Indigenous communities access the tools needed to lead on wildfire readiness in their communities and backing Indigenous-led projects that support fire stewardship. As Canadians continue to face the impacts of wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and more intense, the Government of Canada remains committed to strengthening wildfire resilience by fostering collaboration, supporting those on the front lines and equipping communities to stay informed and stay safe. Quotes "Protecting the safety, health, and economic well-being of communities across Canada is a top priority as we face the ongoing threat of wildfires. Our government is leading efforts to strengthen wildfire management and reduce wildfire risks in Canada. Today's announcement will allow us to prepare for future challenges by advancing wildfire knowledge, accelerating risk and mitigation strategies and supporting Indigenous fire stewardship to build resilience and protect Canadian families and homes." The Honourable Tim Hodgson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more dangerous — and more and more communities across Canada are feeling the impacts first-hand. That's why our government is stepping up to strengthen how we manage and reduce wildfire risks across the country. Through this investment, we're closing knowledge gaps, improving risk assessments and supporting Indigenous-led projects that restore cultural fire stewardship — all in service of keeping Canadians safe." Corey Hogan Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "Wildfires continue to threaten communities across the country, and we're focused on making sure people have the support they need to stay safe. As Canada's first Minister for Community Resilience, this investment is one part of our new government's broader plan to strengthen how the country prepares for and responds to disasters. That includes building wildfire knowledge, improving how we assess and reduce risks, and supporting Indigenous-led efforts to restore cultural fire practices. This funding will help communities be ready for wildfire risks and protect their homes and land." Quick Facts Today's announcement builds on the $11.7-million investment to establish the Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada, which is focused on deliverables under the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, including uniting governments, Indigenous communities, experts and industry to drive science-based action and support Indigenous fire stewardship to improve wildfire prevention, response and resilience. The Build and Mobilize Foundational Wildland Fire Knowledge program is investing over $41.7 million in contributions for 20 research and demonstration projects and $3.9 million through the Supporting and Mobilizing Indigenous Fire Knowledge grant for 10 Indigenous-led projects. The program is funded under Natural Resources Canada's Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative, which invests in programs and activities to enhance wildfire resilience in Canada and reduce wildfire risks in support of the National Adaptation Strategy. Visit Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Federal government commits $45.7M to boost wildfire prevention and response
Article content With wildfire season underway across much of Canada, the federal government is earmarking $45.7 million for 30 projects aimed at strengthening Canada's wildfire prevention, mitigation and recovery. Article content Natural Resources Canada says the projects, funded through its Build and Mobilize Foundational Wildland Fire Knowledge program, are focused on advancing research to protect Canadians from the growing threat of wildfires, strengthen risk assessments and improve mitigation and adaptive forestry practices. Article content Article content Article content The funding was announced Tuesday by Calgary Confederation MP Corey Hogan. Article content Article content Hogan said the funding will help close knowledge gaps, improve risk assessments and support Indigenous-led projects that restore cultural fire stewardship. Article content Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson said protecting the safety, health, and economic well-being of communities across Canada is a top priority amid ongoing wildfires threats. Article content 'Our government is leading efforts to strengthen wildfire management and reduce wildfire risks in Canada,' Hodgson said in a statement. 'Today's announcement will allow us to prepare for future challenges by advancing wildfire knowledge, accelerating risk and mitigation strategies, and supporting Indigenous fire stewardship to build resilience and protect Canadian families and homes.' Article content Article content Eleanor Olszewski, minister of emergency management and community resilience, said the money is part of a broader plan to bolster Canada's disaster preparedness.
