A large forest fire in eastern Tibet has led to the evacuation of nearly 3,400 villagers. The fire, which started on the evening of March 15 in Nyagchu County, Sichuan Province, has prompted a significant response, including more than 1,200 firefighters and eight helicopters.
The fire quickly spread across the region, forming three main fire zones. Despite the rapid expansion, no damage to homes, infrastructure, or loss of life has been reported as of now. Efforts to contain the fire saw firefighters making significant progress by approaching the blaze from different directions early on March 17.
The affected area, situated at an average altitude of 2,600 meters, features predominantly green hills and pine trees. Authorities have identified key areas of the fire’s spread, focusing their efforts on containing its advancement.
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China’s Ministry of Emergency Management has issued a Level-4 emergency response, deploying a large number of fire rescue teams to tackle the fire. The Lianghekou hydropower station in Yajiang County remains unaffected, and so far, there have been no casualties reported.
Residents from a dozen villages have been safely evacuated, as confirmed by scmp.com and official CCTV broadcasts. The evacuation comes amid reports of an orange sky observed in Chengdu, 500km away from the fire, sparking concerns among local residents. However, life in the county seat remains normal, with essential services like water, electricity, and communication not impacted.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. As efforts continue to control the blaze, the community holds onto hope for a quick resolution and the safety of all affected.
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