Aerial firefighting plays a critical role in South Africa

Kishugu Aviation, the aerial component of Working on Fire – Kishugu Joint Venture, represents one of the largest and longest-standing private sector investments in firefighting, boasting 48 pilots, 4 bombers, 11 Huey helicopters, 15 spotter aircraft, and 18 Aircraft Support Vehicles. This is accompanied with a dedicated maintenance organisation and team of engineers, management and support staff.

This robust fleet is poised to mobilise quickly to protect vulnerable communities. Mr Frank Smook,  responsible for flight operations
at  Kishugu Aviation, will highlight the importance of training these pilots to ensure successful aerial firefighting operations during the Fire Symposium at the Nelson Mandela University amid intensifying wildfire challenges in South Africa.

A strong delegation from the Working on Fire—Kishugu Joint Venture will participate in the 14th Fire Management Symposium, taking place this week from 6-8 November. This biennial event unites wildland fire management agencies, fire managers, and stakeholders across various sectors, including Nature Conservation, Agriculture, Disaster Management, and Forestry.

The symposium, hosted by the Nelson Mandela University’s Forestry Department, aims to foster collaboration among natural resource managers, engineers, educators, and scientists. By sharing experiences and insights, participants can identify needs and gaps in wildfire management, paving the way for enhanced strategies.

Effective wildfire management globally is often hampered by a lack of integration between research, technology, and practical fire management
efforts.

This symposium will follow on the return of a WOF-Kishugu JV delegation to the Wildland Fire Canada Conference, which will contribute to the discussions on wildland fire management, science, and knowledge-sharing on a global scale into a South African context.