Chinanews.com, Kunming, October 22, title: Countless times facing the sea of fire, they dare to call home only when they return safely
Reporter Zhang Yanling
Whenever faced with a raging fire, Su Mengtao, deputy head of the Special Service Brigade of the Yunnan Forest Fire Corps, always faced a dilemma.
As a forest firefighter, his first task is of course to extinguish wildfires; but as a captain, he also shoulders the important task of protecting other comrades in the fire scene.
Data map: Forest firefighters are fighting fire fighting.
Photo courtesy of Special Service Brigade of Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade
Just like in 2015, when a mountain fire broke out in Longjie Township, Jingdong County, Pu'er, Yunnan, sparks fell to the bottom of the mountain and caused a resurgence. The flame spread rapidly, instantly trapping more than 20 fighters on the mountain.
"At that time, I was thinking in my heart that when it's over, it is estimated that these two dozen people will have to confess to the mountain." Su Mengtao told reporters.
At the critical moment, fortunately, the comrades who stayed at the foot of the mountain to observe the situation in time discovered the resurgence. The commanders on the mountain quickly and orderly withdrew, and finally all of them arrived safely in a safe area.
Data map: Forest firefighters are fighting fire fighting.
Photo courtesy of Special Service Brigade of Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade
However, there are countless dangerous tasks, and not every fire rescue can return safely.
In March 2019, a forest fire in Muli, Liangshan, Sichuan caused the death of 27 forest firefighters, including Su Mengtao’s classmate Jiang Feifei.
Therefore, many officers and fighters have formed a habit—"They dare not tell their family members when they are out of the mission. Only when they return safely will they call to report safety."
The Special Service Brigade of the Yunnan Forest Fire Fighting Corps where Su Mengtao is located is stationed in Anning, Yunnan. It is called "Huowozi" and is one of the country's 56 key forest fire prevention counties (cities).
Since the formation of the Secret Service Brigade, it has completed 320 forest fires, with a maximum of three fires a day, and has fought wildfires continuously for 66 days and nights. The task of garrisoning is extremely difficult.
Yang Tao, the squad leader of the Second Special Service Squadron of the Yunnan Provincial Forest Fire Fighting Corps, described the scene of the fire extinguishing situation: "You can hear the crackling sound of the fire when it burns, and you can feel the heat waves on the fire field."
Yang Tao, squad leader of the Second Squadron, Special Service Brigade, Yunnan Forest Fire Fighting Corps.
Photo by Zhang Yanling
When he recalled the scene in Pu'er, Yunnan in 2015, he couldn't help but fear: "We almost passed the line of fire. If we descend a bit slower, more than 20 people may not be able to rush through."
The implementation of forest fire fighting missions is dangerous, but more important is the logistics.
Forest firefighters generally have to carry about 10 kilograms of equipment to fight fires in the mountains. They can’t carry extra supplies and usually have to sleep on the ground.
Eating is also a big problem.
Although they carry food supplies with them, they still encounter the problems of cut-off of boxed meals and insufficient rations.
At this time, the cooking class led by Wen Rongbin can often “transform” from the forest fire commander into a chef on the spot, cook noodles, stew beef, and feed the hungry stomachs of comrades.
Wen Rongbin, squad leader of the 1st Squadron, Special Service Brigade, Yunnan Forest Fire Corps.
Photo by Zhang Yanling
"Although I am a cook, I am also a machete on the fire." When facing a mountain fire, Wen Rongbin can machete his way in front of the line of fire; when he rests for supplies, he can create conditions and strive to deliver warm meals to his comrades. Just like the “timely rain” on the fire scene, it will solve the urgent need.
Yunnan's alpine forest areas have high hills and steep hills, deep valleys, dense forests, and forested cliffs. The conditions for fighting fires every time are very difficult and extremely dangerous. This also places high requirements on the physical skills of forest firefighting officers.
As a result, the detachment explored and formed a training model of "field training to strengthen physical fitness, base training skills, simulation exercises to promote coordination, and actual results of fire fighting", laying a solid foundation for the efficient completion of fire fighting tasks.
Data map: Forest fire commanders are training.
Photo courtesy of Special Service Brigade of Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade
After the reform and transformation in 2018, the forest firefighting team has increasingly demonstrated the ability of "one specialization and multiple abilities". In addition to specializing in refining forest and grassland fire fighting, it will also target the professional rescue capabilities and global mobility of each commander and fighter. Make improvements.
"For example, we are training for earthquake rescue, water rescue, etc. Our team is now becoming more and more professional." Wen Rongbin said.
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