On Wednesday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service, along with Manitoba Conservation and Climate, will be welcoming over 100 South African firefighters and their support staff to help battle Manitoba wildfires.
The South African contingent joins over 400 Manitoba firefighters and resources from across Canada deployed to aid firefighting efforts.
Manitoba’s six water bombers have been supplemented with two aircraft from Quebec, four from the Northwest Territories, and over two dozen helicopters to assist fire suppression efforts.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre has arranged the South African contingent of firefighters.
Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization has worked collaboratively with the Manitoba Wildfire Services to ensure COVID-19 protocols are met. Following federal regulations, the contingent was tested for COVID-19 before they departed from South Africa. Upon arrival in Winnipeg by charter flight, they will be tested again.
Recent rainfalls across the province will help ground crews in ongoing fire suppression efforts. Manitoba currently has 143 active wildfires burning across the province. To date, Manitoba has had 431 wildfires this year; the average for this time is 370 wildfires.
