Cape Town – The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s Working on Fire program in South Africa is sending over 200 firefighters to assist with firefighting efforts in the Canadian province of Alberta.
This deployment marks the fifth time a South African team has been sent to Canada.
“I would like to extend my best wishes to the team as you embark on your deployment to Canada to help put out the fires raging in Alberta.
“You go to Canada to raise the South Africa flag and share your expertise and camaraderie with colleagues from other Canadian provinces to save lives, homes, businesses and large swathes of vegetation,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy said on Friday.
The request for assistance came from the Canadian Inter-agency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) under an existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
Alberta has been dealing with over 550 wildfires this season, causing significant damage and displacing thousands of people.
The South African team will be deployed for 35 days, with a second team joining them a week later.
“The first deployment of 200 firefighters and 15 managers will depart for Canada on a chartered aircraft from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) on Saturday, 3 June 2023. The deployment will see the team assist firefighters in Canada for 35 days.
“A second team of 200 firefighters and 13 managers will join the crew in Alberta in a week’s time. The 2023 Canadian deployment team comprises pump trained firefighters, who have a valid Yellow Card; more than three years actual firefighting experience and who are physically fit,” the department said.
The selected firefighters include women, and some have prior international firefighting experience, contributing to the team’s expertise in handling complex fire situations.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
