The air quality concerns triggered by smoke from over 800 wildfires in Canada have given media giants like CNN and MSNBC the opportunity to push their usual climate change narrative—surprise, surprise. They’re eager to paint the picture that this is purely about global warming, as if natural wildfires haven’t existed for centuries. What’s lost in their sensational coverage is the context: wildfires can be exacerbated by several factors, including land management and regulatory failures. But mentioning that would ruin their apocalyptic storyline.

Meanwhile, outlets like Fox News seem to be stuck in a cycle of blaming politicians, which is just as lazy. Yes, policies matter, but instead of context, they give us soundbites. Where’s the breakdown of how local economies are affected by this smoke? Where’s the discussion on how communities can better prepare for the inevitable? They’d rather chase ratings than deliver substance.

It’s astounding how both sides of the aisle use this crisis to push their agendas, leaving the public in the dark about the real factors at play. People want actionable information on how to protect themselves, not alarmist headlines that contribute nothing but fear. It’s time for the media to stop playing favorites and start reporting the truth about all the nuances behind these disasters.