Two out of 100 SA firefighters test positive for COVID-19 in Canada

Two of the 100 Working on Fire (WOF) firefighters dispatched to Canada by the South African Forestry Department to help battle the more than 130 wildfires burning in Manitoba province have tested positive for COVID-19.

FIREFIGHTERS TEST POSITIVE IN CANADA

A Manitoba provincial spokesperson said all the South African firefighters in the province were tested for the virus before leaving their country and again after their arrival in Canada. The infected firefighters are currently in self-isolation and this precaution is extended to their close contacts, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News.

Manitoba province said if there is a public health risk after the infections, more information will be released. At this point, however, all other South Africans have tested negative for COVID-19.

40 WOF firefighters, 2 Strike Team Leaders & an Agency Rep on their way to Cranberry Portage for an overnight stop en route to the fire line in North West Manitoba.#mbfire @environmentza @CBCManitoba @ONforestfires@SABCNews @eNCA @IOL @CanHCZA @SouthAfricanHC @CIFFC pic.twitter.com/cgkEV4Ch5y

— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) August 13, 2021

The 100 firefighters and a nine-person management team arrived in Manitoba on Wednesday, 11 August to help battle the wildfires in the province. They are expected to remain in the country for 34 days and will work independently with supervision from the Manitoba province. As of Friday, there were 136 wildfires burning in the province.

“The province continues to express its gratitude for the support offered by the South African firefighters during this unprecedented wildfire season,” said the spokesperson.

Firefighters being orientated before going to fire line. Orientation training has been provided by Manitoba WildFire Services. #CanadaFires #WOFCanDeploy #mbfire #WOFinCanada @environmentza @CBCManitoba @ONforestfires@SABCNews @eNCA @IOL @CanHCZA @SouthAfricanHC @CIFFC pic.twitter.com/OX3pvjaqZb

— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) August 13, 2021

RECORD-BREAKING HEAT

The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DAFF), said Canada is experiencing record-breaking heat and associated dry weather. “Large wildland fires are currently burning in the province of Manitoba and extreme fire danger exists across the western provinces with little relief in sight and new wildland fires expected.”

South Africa and Canada have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows for the exchange of Wildland Fire Management Resources between the two countries. Out of the 100 firefighters selected, 30 are women and 35 have been deployed to Canada before – this is the fourth deployment to the country.

DAFF said the deployment will not have an impact on Working on Fire programme’s ability to battle blazes in South Africa as there are close to 5000 firefighters spread across the country.