Trump threatens new Canadian taxes over wildfire smoke in US cities.

Some residents in northern Ontario have been forced to evacuate due to the ongoing wildfires. One First Nations chief reported that his community was “burnt to ashes”.

Fires are also burning on the west coast of British Columbia, where more than 59 fires broke out on Friday. British Columbia’s wildfire service said 39 of those fires started in the past 24 hours and more than half (31 fires) were out of control, prompting firefighters to use more aggressive methods to control them.

Heavy fires in northwestern Ontario are responsible for sending thick smoke and poor air quality across the region and into the United States.

On Thursday, thick smog blocked views across New York City, including the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Likewise, national monuments in Washington, DC were hampered by foggy conditions.

Authorities are urging people to stay indoors, with some areas passing out free masks because of the health risks of inhaling the smoke.

It caused the cancellation of outdoor activities in parts of the northern US, from Chicago and Detroit to parts of Pennsylvania and New England. Summer camps have come home, concerts have been postponed — and at least one beach on a popular lake has been closed.

Poor air quality has affected air travel in areas where low visibility has caused flight delays at airports.

The inclement weather has raised concerns about Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium – where it will be aired – in New Jersey, an area where Trump is likely to attend.

White House officials, including Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup task force, are holding informal meetings with FIFA officials and others monitoring the wildfires, but no more formal meetings have yet been scheduled.

Forecasters believe rain in the area over the weekend will improve conditions before the two teams take the field at 1500e (2000 BST).

In addition to dangerous smoke stretching as far as the United States, wildfires in northern Ontario have forced the evacuation of dozens of local First Nations communities, with videos showing some fleeing to remote areas by boat.

Members of the Namaygosigagun First Nation in the northern part of the province say they are “distressed” after a fire engulfed their community with little warning.

Matthew Hope, incident commander of Namaygosigagun First Nation, told the BBC his community had been devastated by the wildfires in northern Ontario.

Members of the community had to “self-evacuate” in small boats Monday afternoon as the fire approached so quickly, Hoppe said, adding that there were no deaths or direct injuries, but that the community was “completely rehabilitated.”

Helen Pavola, chief of the Namaygoosigagun First Nation, told local news outlet City News in an interview that an aerial flight showed her community “burned to ashes”.

Ford had to evacuate a total of 10 communities, many now seeking refuge in southern Ontario cities.

“It is a miracle that no one lost their lives,” the prime minister said.

With additional reporting by Katie Williams and Nardin Saad