SA to Send 400 Firefighters to Help Canadian WildFire

Date: 05/06/2023 | Posted in International News | News | South Africa

South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment has answered the call for assistance from Canada

By sending 400 firefighters to Alberta. The firefighters will join the efforts to combat and suppress the raging wildfires in the region.

Alberta Canada, Wildfires 2023.

SA Firefighters to Assist.

The urgent request for help wa s made by the Canadian Inter-agency Forest Fire Centre, with whom South Africa has a previously established agreement. This agreement, signed in 2019, has led to the deployment of South African firefighters on four previous occasions.

The current wildfire season in Alberta has been particularly devastating, with over 550 wildfires wreaking havoc on the area. These fires have caused extensive damage to properties and infrastructure and have forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment has planned to dispatch the first batch of firefighters, consisting of 200 firefighters and 15 managers, on Saturday. They will depart from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport on a chartered aircraft bound for Canada.

A second team comprising 200 firefighters and 13 managers will join the initial crew in Alberta one week later.

The South African firefighters will be stationed in Canada for a total of 35 days. During this time, they will work tirelessly alongside local and international firefighting teams to bring the wildfires under control and protect lives and property.

The collaboration between South Africa and Canada in combating wildfires is a testament to the importance of international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.