Wildfires drop sharply but risk remains high as threats highlighted

Since the autumn and winter season began this year, a total of 93 forest and grassland fires have occurred in China, 84 percent less year-on-year and the least in the past five years, according to the National Forest and Grassland Fire Prevention and Fighting Command.

Eastern, southern and southwestern China have relatively high risks of wildfire in winter, while the New Year and the Spring Festival holidays will be dangerous times, Zhang Yongli, office director of the command, said during a news briefing on Thursday.

Precipitation in most parts of the country this year is much higher than the same period last year, with plants blooming in profusion. The minor combustible components on the ground and in the forest have remarkably increased in winter, lifting the ignitability of forests, Zhang said.

Command statistics show that in the past 10 years, a total of 10,882 wildfires were in January and February, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all forest and grassland fires in China.

"The increasing demand of fire use during traditional festivals at the end and beginning of a year also adds to the difficulties of fire control," Zhang said.

The command and the Ministry of Emergency Management and related departments have made targeted plans to prevent and control wildfires in the winter season.

Alarming messages of fire risks will be sent weekly nationwide based on research by the Emergency Management, Forestry and Grassland, Security, and Weather departments.

The command also has launched campaigns to crack down on illegal fire use and scrutinize major fire risks, Zhang said, adding that stricter supervision will be made at the venues of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games near Beijing and adjacent areas.

So far, a national fire brigade of 1,750 people and two helicopters have been deployed to North China's Hebei, South China's Guangdong, Northwest China's Shaanxi and other provinces to reinforce local fire control capacity. Emergency supplies are being reserved to be fully prepared for major forest fires.

The command has organized training courses on safely putting out wildfires and instructed firefighters at all levels to hold the bottom line of no casualties amid fire control.

A newly-introduced national emergency plan for forest and grassland fires will boost China's capability to fight wildfires. The plan will be a guide in organizing firefighting, rescuing and evacuating people, and protecting civilians and important military establishments.