S. African firefighters reach Canada to help fight wildfire

Some 300 South African firefighters arrived here Monday to help fight a wildfire that has ravaged forests of more than 5,800 square km.

The firefighters, who arrived in Edmonton, capital of Alberta province in western Canada, are from many regions of South Africa, Alberta's fire information officer Travis Fairweather said.

"We know that their training matches our training and we've gone and given them training in the past," said Fairweather. "We know when they get here they can just get off the plane and get right to work."

The incoming firefighters have completed "Working On Fire," a government-funded, job-creation program focusing on implementing integrated fire management in South Africa.

The wildfire, which broke out at the end of last month and destroyed part of Fort McMurray city in Alberta, continues to burn out of control and has reached the neighboring province of Saskatchewan.

Some 2,300 firefighters are currently battling the wildfire in Alberta. Firefighters have been flown in from across Canada and the United States. Endi