A group of 300 South African firefighters received an emotional and joyful welcome upon touching down in Edmonton on Sunday evening.

The firefighters will join more than 2,200 of their Canadian counterparts battling 14 active wildfires in Alberta.

"This is a nice change from everything that's been going on," long-time Fort McMurray resident Denise Malley told CTV Edmonton on Sunday. "It's really nice to have an injection of extra energy from somewhere else."

Malley was one of several local residents who turned up to the airport to welcome the South African firefighters with cheers and 'thank yous.'

When asked what it meant to see support for Fort McMurray come from more than 15,000 kilometres away, an emotional Malley said: "It means a lot."

And the warm welcome didn't go unnoticed.

The South African firefighters delighted onlookers with an energetic song and dance in the airport's arrivals area.

Carrying a Canadian flag and wearing a t-shirt with "#AlbertaStrong" emblazoned across the front, Ryan Byers shook hands and thanked dozens of the arriving firefighters.

"I was so grateful to shake about 100 hands and just let them know that Canada loves them and we're very grateful they're here," he said. "The world loves Fort Mac, and the world is coming to help."

This is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. South African firefights land in }yeah pic.twitter.com/sStRWYhUWZ — Mack Lamoureux (@MackLamoureux) May 30, 2016

The Fort McMurray wildfire is now estimated to cover almost 5,800 square kilometres in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Travis Fairweather, an information officer with Wildfire Alberta, said the organization has agreements with other agencies throughout Canada and internationally, including South Africa.

Firefighters can expect 'long, hard days'

He said the firefighters coming in from overseas all have the proper training and experience needed in order to safely battle the blaze from the front lines.

The group from South Africa will mainly work in Fort McMurray putting out hot spots, which Fairweather described as "very difficult work."

"They're going to be digging up holes in the ground where the smoke is coming up and making sure it's completely put out," he said "It's going to be some long hard days."

Fairweather noted that Wildfire Alberta has done "intensive training" with the South African firefighters over the years, but the conditions will be different than what they're used to.

"We have a lot more access to water than they do, so it's a luxury they're not used to having," he said.

Meanwhile, the firefighters debarking from long flight overseas on Sunday said they're ready to get working.

"I'm kind of excited," said M.J. Letwaba. "I'm going to learn new stuff."

Letwaba said she was among the South African firefighters who helped during the 2015 Alberta and B.C. wildfires.

She said the images of Fort McMurray evacuees fleeing their homes were scary, but she's ready to get working.

"I'm ready," Letwaba said. "We all are."