The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s Working on Fire programme will on Tuesday evening deploy 109 firefighters and management officials to the province of Manitoba in Canada, to assist with firefighting efforts in that country.
This as Canada has been experiencing record-breaking heat and associated dry weather.
“I would like to extend my good wishes to the Working on Fire team as you embark on your fourth deployment to Canada to assist in bringing the fires currently raging across Manitoba under control.
“I trust that, as in the past, you will fly South Africa’s flag high and that your camaraderie will stand you in good stead as you battle alongside colleagues from other Canadian provinces and cities to save lives and homes,” said the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy.
A crew of 100 firefighters and a nine-person management team has been selected following a process which included criteria such as physical fitness, having a valid yellow card, more than three years actual firefighting experience, a valid South African passport, and additional criteria such as passing a drug test and having a clear criminal record.
Out of the selected firefighters 30 are women and 35 have previous deployment experience to Canada and they will be deployed for a period of 34 days.
“Your commitment will serve as an example to members of the Working on Fire team who will be on standby to battle any wildfires that may break out here in South Africa as we near the end of our winter season,” the Minister said.
The team will fly to Canada on a British Airways Chartered flight which has been arrange