The South African delegation’s participation comes at a crucial time, as climate change-related wildfires escalated worldwide. Since May 2023, the global community has faced a surge in extreme natural disasters, with wildfires making international headlines.

Europe saw its second-worst wildfire season in 2022, and 2023 brought even more devastating fires, particularly across Western Europe and the Mediterranean, as extreme weather ravaged the continent. In Algeria, for example, deadly wildfires along the Mediterranean coastline claimed 34 lives in July 2023.
The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was among the worst in the country’s history, with significant international firefighter deployments, including 860 from South Africa.

This year, ground firefighting resources of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) funded WOF Programme were once again called upon and the WOF-Kishugu JV sent 216 personnel to Alberta to assist in firefighting efforts as the province faced another intense wildfire season. With over six previous deployments to Canada, the WOF-Kishugu JV has become a key partner in tackling climate-induced wildfires, contributing nearly 1,750 firefighters across multiple missions.

Deputy Managing Director, Megon Norman highlighted the importance of the strong partnership between South Africa and Canada in wildfire management: “We are proud of the long-standing relationship we have built with Canada, having sent firefighters on missions to support their fire suppression efforts. Our teams are always well-received, and we look forward to further strengthening this collaboration during the upcoming conference.”

Norman also expressed interest in engaging with like-minded attendees on various topics, adding, “I am particularly eager to explore more opportunities for knowledge-sharing and to discuss how we can empower more women in wildfire management, as they play an increasingly critical role in our sector.”

This is not the first time that WOF has attended this conference. In November 2019, Project Manager, Trevor Abrahams, delivered a presentation titled “The Poverty of Firefighting: The Dynamics of Wildland Firefighting in South Africa” in Ottawa, Canada. His presentation unpacked the socio-economic challenges of wildland firefighting in South Africa and the role it plays in transforming the lives of firefighters from disadvantaged communities. WOF’s ongoing presence at this conference is a testament to the critical exchange of knowledge and innovation that strengthens its capacity to manage wildfires both locally and internationally.

South Africa is not immune to the global challenges. The country has recently faced tragic wildfire-related fatalities, such as the loss of 14 lives in the KwaZulu-Natal fires in July 2024, and the deaths of soldiers and civilians in various incidents in 2023.

“As of October 18, 2024, the Working on Fire – Kishugu Joint Venture reached a record number of wildfires it has responded to thus far in 2024, with just over 2,300 wildfires, surpassing the previous high of 2,270 in 2017. This marks 2024 as the worst wildfire season in eight years and these incidents underscore the urgency of addressing the growing wildfire risks exacerbated by climate change,” said Abrahams.

The 2022 UN Environment Programme report, Spreading Like Wildfire, predicted that the frequency, intensity, and reach of wildfires would increase due to climate change. In South Africa, the effects are already apparent, with catastrophic wildfires and devastating floods occurring in regions such as KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape.

The Working on Fire – Kishugu JV’s participation at the WFCC will enhance South Africa’s capacity to manage wildfires and contribute to global discussions on wildfire management.

The theme Transforming Wildland Fire Management aligns with the Joint Venture’s goals, which include investing in prevention, preparedness, and adaptation to mitigate the impact of wildfires.

South Africa’s extensive wildfire management experience, supported by 5,300 firefighters stationed at 230 bases across South Africa, serves as a strong foundation for contributing valuable insights and learning from international peers.
“The urgency of this issue is highlighted by the need to invest in proactive fire prevention. The UN report suggests allocating 60% of resources towards prevention and preparedness – an approach South Africa must adopt in its national climate change mitigation and adaptation plans

By prioritising fire prevention, community education, and fuel load management, South Africa can reduce the risk and impact of wildfires,” said Abrahams.
Key strategies for improving wildfire management include:

• Enhancing fire prevention and preparedness: Allocate resources to community education, firebreaks, and fire management planning.
• Expanding firefighting infrastructure: Increase funding for training and equipping firefighters, as well as enhancing aerial firefighting capabilities.
• Strengthening local and regional collaboration: Foster partnerships and adopt unified operational frameworks like the Incident Command System.
• Leveraging international expertise: Facilitate knowledge-sharing and support systems to bolster national firefighting efforts.
• Investing in research and innovation: Support research into new firefighting technologies and climate change adaptation strategies.

“Focusing on these strategic objectives, South Africa can better adapt its climate change mitigation efforts to address the growing threat of wildfires. This approach will improve preparedness, protect communities, and safeguard the country’s economy from the devastating impacts of climate change-induced fires,” concluded Abrahams.

Issued by: Working on Fire – Kishugu Joint Venture
Media Enquiries: Amanda Mthembu
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