A $20,000 donation from Bruce Power is expected to help with wildfire relief efforts.

The nuclear generating station sent the funds to the Canadian Red Cross, which continues to respond to fires affecting air quality across the country

An early and intense wildfire season has caused devastation across the country, and the smoke quickly spread air pollution across the country, and into the US.

Although the last decade has shown significant air quality improvements, air pollution continues to impact the health of Canadians. It plays a part in the premature deaths of more than 15,000 residents every year.

Bruce Power is working toward net zero emissions, and the funding announcement pointed out nuclear power was a key part of Ontario’s phase-out of coal-fired generating in 2014. In fact according to the World Health Organization , Canada has some of the cleanest air in the world.

“Bruce Power is proud to make this donation to the Red Cross to help ensure the communities affected the most by the wildfires get the assistance they need,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer.