Johannesburg – South Africa on Sunday deployed more than 200 firefighters overseas to help tackle summer wildfires in Alberta province, Canada.
Announcing the development, the SA Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said it deployed a team of more than 200 firefighters and management to assist with firefighting and fire suppression efforts in Canada.
“On behalf of South Africa, I extend my heartfelt wishes to the Working on Fire team as you journey to Alberta to support Canadian firefighters in battling the severe wildfires,” said Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr. Dion George.
“Your bravery and dedication are a source of immense pride for our nation.
“As you work alongside your Canadian colleagues, know that you carry with you the strength and hopes of our people.
“May you succeed in protecting lives, homes, and the environment. We stand with you in solidarity.”
In Canada, the wildfires have seen more than 17 000 Albertans evacuated from affected areas.
As of 24 July 2024, as many as 24 989 fires actively burned in Canada, with over half of those occurring in the British Columbia of Alberta, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
Dr. George said the deployment of SA firefighters was the sixth by a Working on Fire team to Canada since 2015.
“This includes the historic deployment of 860 firefighters and management in 2023, which was one of the largest contingents of international firefighters deployed to Canada,” said Dr. George.
Since Monday, 22 July 2024, the team of firefighters assembled at Kishugu Training Academy in Mbombela, Mpumalanga for a three-day Training Camp and final preparation before departure.
These firefighters are part of the department’s Working on Fire programme and were being deployed based on the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Canada and South Africa.
This MOU allows for the exchange of fire management resources between the two countries.
“Our firefighters and management departed for Alberta, Canada via a charter flight arranged by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre on Sunday, 28 July 2024, from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Mbombela,” revealed Dr. George.
The minister said these firefighters were expected to be deployed in Alberta for 39 days, inclusive of traveling and rest days.
The 2024 Canadian deployment team comprises pump-trained firefighters, who have a valid Yellow Card; more than three years of actual firefighting experience, and who are physically fit.
Dr. George said 25 percent of the selected firefighters in the first deployment are women.
This includes two members of the management team and highlights Working on Fire’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“I am incredibly proud we can lend support to Canada. Our firefighters’ expertise and experience are invaluable, and I have full confidence that their deployment will be a success,” said Dr. George.
“The efforts of the WOF team will not only bring hope to those affected but also showcase the remarkable skills and dedication of South African firefighters on the global stage.
“We stand behind you and wish you a safe and impactful mission.”
The minister added: “We wish to reassure all our partners and stakeholders that this deployment will not have any impact on our South African firefighting operations and every one of our 200-plus firefighting bases in South Africa will continue to provide firefighting and fire prevention services to our partners and landowners.
“We will still have just over 5 000 firefighters available at these bases throughout South Africa.
“Should there be major wildland fire activities in our Winter Fire Season Provinces, we will, as we have done in the past, be able to deploy our Western and Eastern Cape firefighters to these hotspots.”
Dr. George said the request from CIFFC was a vote of confidence in South Africa’s wildland firefighting capacity and abilities.
“We must be extremely proud of our deployees who have been selected,” said Dr. George.
“For many of them, this will be a life-changing experience and it all forms part of our objectives in developing our youth and creating opportunities for them to learn and experience new territories beyond our borders.”
