Three from Limpopo fight fires in Canada

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s Working on Fire programme has sent 109 firefighters and management to the province of Manitoba in Canada to assist with firefighting efforts in that country. This is the fourth deployment of firefighters to Canada. Speaking to the Herald, crew leader, Tonic Mahlare who has been deployed for the second time said he was proud to be deployed.

“My first deployment was a tough one as we had to fight underground fires, something I got exposed to for the first time. I had to make sure that I acquire as much knowledge and skills as I can. Now that I have got an opportunity to be deployed again it will be easier to assist in suppressing fires and I believe I will learn more,” said Mahlare.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Barbara Creecy wished the deployees well.

“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 Creecy.

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The Working on Fire programme provides work opportunities, skills training and personal development to communities across the country. “The focus is on young people and women, with around 85% of crews comprising young people and about 30% women.”

She said the request for assistance came from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre which has, in terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and South Africa, asked for firefighting assistance from Working on Fire to assist with their fire management in Canada. The Memorandum of Understanding provides for the exchange of wildland fire management resources between these two countries.