Motorcyclists born to ride supplies to firefighters

Chongqing motorcyclists are being hailed as heroes for volunteering to transport much-needed supplies to the fire and rescue workers fighting the wildfires caused by prolonged heat and drought across multiple districts in the municipality.

As of Wednesday, Chongqing has issued a red alert, the most severe in the four-tier warning system, for high temperatures for 16 consecutive days, and a red alert for forest and prairie fire risks for 20 consecutive days, according to the municipal meteorological authorities.

In the scorching heat and drought conditions, multiple wildfires have ravaged many parts of Chongqing. As of Tuesday, several large wildfires have been brought under control with the joint efforts of the fire and rescue workers, social organizations and residents. No casualties have been reported.

According to Chongqing's emergency management bureau on Wednesday, wildfires in the city's Dazu and Tongliang districts have been brought under control, and other fires-in Fuling, Kaizhou and Wanzhou districts-have been extinguished.

Facing the tough situation, the city government called for volunteers with related skills and experience to join the firefighting, and a large number of motorcyclists have played an important role and won widespread praise.

"It is my honor and duty to guard my hometown," said 27-year-old Li Xin, a member of Yueqi Motorcycle Club in Beibei district.

According to the municipal meteorological observatory, from 3 pm to 12 pm on Tuesday, satellite imagery showed 23 areas in the city had existing fires, including four in Beibei and three in Bishan district, located in the city's Jinyun Mountains, one of the four major mountain ranges in the city.

On Sunday night, upon hearing the recruitment notice, Li organized a team of 15 club members to support the firefighting in Beibei's Xiema town, the epicenter of the local blazes.

The team members, with an average age of 29, took turns to use five dirt bikes and four scooters to carry materials and equipment to firefighters and to transport people and necessities.

"The unpaved mountain paths, newly excavated as fire barriers, require really good motorcycle skills," Li said, adding that even the best motorcyclist on the team might lose his balance and fall as he carries heavy materials and equipment with a large farmer's basket.

He said that to prevent heatstroke in the extreme outdoor heat, the team gave up dressing in their thick riding suits. They also helped in cutting wood and putting out fires, working more than 12 hours a day on average.

"We will stay and help until the fire is out," he said.

The China Meteorological Administration dispatched a high-performance aircraft and experts to Chongqing on Tuesday, to help guide the municipality's drought relief efforts.