SA set to benefit from global wildfire initiative as Canada pledges about R177 million

South Africa, which last year experienced its deadliest winter wildfire season on record, claiming 34 lives and burning nearly 4 million hectares, is set to benefit from a new international wildfire management initiative.

By Maile Matsimela

Canada has pledged C$13,5 million (about R177 million) to mitigate wildfire risks and protect ecosystems worldwide through the Global Fire Management Hub, which is hosted by the Forestry Division of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

This contribution aligns with the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, adopted last month by the Group of Seven (G7) nations at their summit in Canada. South Africa is one of the non-G7 countries – alongside Australia, India, Mexico and South Korea – that also endorsed the charter. This move opens the door for South Africa to access international expertise, tools and funding to better manage the increasing threat of wildfires linked to climate change.

Uniting Against a Growing Wildfire Threat

The G7 charter calls for greater international cooperation in managing extreme wildfires and supports the development of tools like the Global Fire Management Hub. This platform will help countries coordinate efforts, share knowledge and build capacity to respond more proactively to fires.

“Wildfire seasons are becoming longer and more extreme, fuelled by climate change,” says Cindy Termorshuizen, Canada’s associate deputy minister of foreign affairs. 

This reality hits close to home for South Africa, where the 2024 winter fire season broke records, with 2 750 firefighting teams deployed in response to fire outbreaks, thousands of livestock destroyed and 34 human lives lost, according to Working on Fire. And in the Western Cape this past summer, more than 12 000 veld fires were recorded. 

Support for Local Capacity and Resilience

The Global Fire Management Hub focuses on five core areas, all highly relevant to South Africa’s needs. These include:

• Knowledge and data sharing, to help countries better understand and predict fire behaviour.

• Capacity building, particularly for training frontline responders.

• Community engagement and preparedness, to reduce fire risk at grassroots level.

• Integrated fire management planning, including early warning systems.

• Cross-border cooperation, to tackle fires that spread across regions.

“Wildfires adversely affect biodiversity, ecological services, human wellbeing and national economies, and can be especially devastating for developing countries,” says Dr Zhimin Wu, director of the FAO’s Forestry Division. “Canada’s support will help strengthen and enhance global collaboration to reduce the negative impacts of wildfires on livelihoods, landscapes and global climate stability.”