South Korea dispatches 151 firefighters to aid Canada’s wildfire fight

South Korea is contributing 151 firefighters to assist Canada in combating the widespread wildfires that have ravaged the country. This team of emergency responders will join over 1,400 foreign firefighters from various nations who have joined forces to battle the hundreds of wildfires.

The Korean embassy in Canada has stated that the firefighters will be stationed in Lebel-sur-Quevillon, Quebec, an area severely impacted by one of the province’s worst blazes this wildfire season. This marks the second deployment of Korea’s Disaster Relief Team in 2023, following their previous mission in Turkey to provide relief after an earthquake.

As Canada grapples with its most devastating wildfire season in recent memory, firefighters from more than 10 countries across five continents have united to combat the raging infernos. Firefighters from Mexico, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, South Africa, and the United States, totaling over 1,470, have been deployed to various regions in Canada, including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta.

The wildfire season initially began in Alberta and has since spread to other areas such as Nova Scotia and parts of British Columbia. The wildfires have caused extensive damage and pose significant risks to affected communities, with a record-breaking 80,000 square kilometers of land burned.