China News Network, Xichang, April 1st: The resurgence of forest fires in Xichang, Sichuan, late in the night kicks off the "defense war" of the ancient Millennium temple

Author Wang Peng Liu Zhongjun

The mountain fire re-ignited from the height of Laoshan Mountain. With the strong wind at night, the fire was getting stronger and stronger, and it was clearly visible a few kilometers away. Looking from a distance, this famous local mountain has now become the "Flame Mountain". Drive to the foot of the mountain, the ash is diffused in the air, and after a little longer, my eyes are sore and my nose is dry.

On the night of March 31, the scene of the Xichang forest fire rekindled. Photo by Liu Zhongjun

In Guangfu Temple, half a mountainside, a dozen members of Chengdu Fire Rescue Detachment team, in groups of two, held water nozzles to wet every ancient building and tree in the temple. The water flowed quickly, then dispersed in the air, and the millennium ancient temple seemed to rain. Hundred meters behind the temple, flares of fire are lighting up the night sky.

On the night of March 31, Laoshan, Xichang City, Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, the forest fire that had almost been extinguished by the open flames rekindled. Multiple buildings at the foot of the mountain and at the foot of the mountain have once again been seriously threatened. Among them, Guangfu Temple, which has a history of about 1100 years, has attracted much attention.

At 22 o'clock that night, the reporter followed the firefighters to Guangfu Temple. From the foot of the mountain to the mountainside, the winding mountain road twists and turns, and from time to time, fire trucks drive off from high places. As the temple got closer, the smell of burning trees in the air became stronger.

Guangfu Temple was built on the mountain in a staircase shape, with multiple layers of incense, and the incense on weekdays is very strong. The reporter went up the stairs, and when he reached Guangfu Temple Square with a wide field of vision, he turned around and saw that a few kilometers long line of fire continued to spread in the wind, and the fire zone expanded accordingly. On the higher ridges, towering canopies blast from time to time, and the tongue of fire rises tens of meters high.

Firefighters sprinkled water on Guangfu Temple to cool down. Photo by Liu Zhongjun

On the square, a firefighter is observing the fire at a high place. Once the wind direction changes, he will give a warning to colleagues working in the temple. Approaching the heights of Guangfu Temple, the sound of water was faintly heard. Around a hall, a dozen firefighters are spraying water to cool the building.

"Guangfu Temple has a cistern that stores about 1,000 tons of water, which can meet our water needs." A member of the Chengdu Fire Rescue Detachment, Marui, told reporters that once the fire spreads, the water will protect the temple. .

The Liangshan Yi Slavery Society Museum, which is located below Guangfu Temple, is also threatened by fire. In the afternoon of the same day, staff members have urgently transferred the cultural relics in the library. At about 23:00 that night, the reporter saw at the scene that firefighters were also adopting the method of opening isolation zones and spraying water to cool down, to defend the world's only thematic museum that reflects the social form of slaves.

The relevant person in charge of the Sichuan Fire Rescue Corps told reporters that the firefighters will be here until 7 am the next day. "At that time, the forest firefighters and firefighters will enter the fire place to extinguish the fire. We must fully protect the building safety before that."

Firemen sprayed water to cool the Liangshan Yi Slave Society Museum. Photo by Liu Zhongjun

Near midnight, when the reporter left the scene of the fire, he met Xichang citizen Luo Xiuqiang at the foot of the mountain. He was working with friends to provide firefighters with drinks and food.

"It is the first time since I was young to have such a big fire in Laoshan. I am very sad and heartbroken." Speaking of Laoshan's deep culture, the 30-year-old Yi man has red eyes and anxious tone. He said: "Sheshan can represent Xichang's culture and is also a tourist attraction in his hometown. I hope the fire can be extinguished as soon as possible." (End)