200 wildland firefighters and 15 management personnel from the Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture departed South Africa on Sunday, 28 July 2024, heading to Alberta, Canada, to join the international community in the battle against wildland fires. The Mzanzi1 Hotshots embarked on a chartered flight organised by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Mbombela. This fire suppression mission, anticipated to last 39 days including travel and rest days, marks the sixth deployment of a Working on Fire team to Canada.
After an intensive three-day training regimen at the Kishugu Training Academy, aligned with Canadian standards, the Mzanzi1 Hotshots went to Canada armed with the theory and practical knowledge expected of them on the frontlines. The deployment team boasts pump-trained firefighters, all equipped with valid Yellow Cards, over three years of hands-on firefighting experience, and exceptional physical fitness. Many team members bring previous international firefighting experience, equipping them to handle intricate fire scenarios. Impressively, 30% of this deployment comprises women, including management team members, highlighting Working on Fire’s dedication to diversity and inclusion.
The CIFFC’s urgent plea for assistance, grounded in the 2019 MOU, reinforces the established collaboration for exchanging wildland fire management resources between South Africa and Canada. This MOU followed two initial deployments to combat wildland fires in Alberta and Manitoba.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, conveyed heartfelt wishes to the team, stating, “I 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 African flag and share your expertise and camaraderie with colleagues from other Canadian provinces to save lives, homes, businesses, and large swathes of vegetation.”
“We are proud that South Africa is again able to assist Canadian firefighting teams in their battle to bring the wildfires under control. The extensive experience and training of these firefighters will significantly enhance efforts to effectively suppress and manage the wildfires in Alberta.”
CIFFC’s request is a glowing endorsement of South Africa’s wildland firefighting prowess. For many of the deployed firefighters, this mission will be a transformative experience, fostering youth development and offering a unique opportunity to explore and contribute beyond South African borders.
