A devastating forest fire broke out on Friday afternoon in Baizi Village, located within the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southwest Sichuan Province, according to reports from CMG.
The blaze intensified on Saturday afternoon due to high winds, challenging the efforts of over 700 emergency crew members and firefighters who are actively combating the fire. Seven helicopters have been deployed to assist in the containment operations, while an additional 400 emergency responders are en route to support the battle against the flames.
In response to the escalating situation, local authorities have evacuated a total of 735 people and issued a level-4 response. A dedicated work team has been dispatched to manage the crisis on the ground.
Thankfully, no casualties have been reported so far. However, the fire continues to rage, with thick smoke enveloping the affected area, making conditions hazardous for both residents and responders.
Despite the widespread destruction, a photovoltaic power station in the region remains unaffected by the fire. On the other hand, communication with a nearby hydroelectric station has been disrupted, adding another layer of complexity to the emergency response.
Additionally, a section of the highway passing through the region has been temporarily closed to facilitate the firefighting efforts and ensure the safety of both the public and emergency personnel.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
