A large-scale wildfire has broken out in an area in China's inland Sichuan province where giant pandas are believed to live, and more than 3,000 people have been evacuated so far, and there are concerns about the impact on rare wild animals. It has been.
According to state-run China Central Television, a fire broke out on the 15th in a forest in Yajiang, Guangzhe Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, inland, and then became a large-scale forest fire as the winds strengthened.
According to the local government of Yajiang, this area is over 2,000 meters above sea level and is home to rare wild animals such as giant pandas, bovids, golden takins, and golden monkeys.
The wildfire appears to be spreading further, and footage from the site shows red flames engulfing the mountain and white smoke rising all over the area.
More than 1,200 local firefighters and multiple fire helicopters are working on the scene, and about 700 firefighters from neighboring Yunnan province are expected to be dispatched as well.
According to state media, 11 villages have been affected and more than 3,000 people have been evacuated, but no casualties have been confirmed.
Although there have been no reports of damage to wild animals so far, there are concerns about the impact on rare wild animals such as giant pandas.