A fire broke out this morning on Yangmingshan, a prominent mountain in Taipei, prompting the fire department to dispatch immediately and work to extinguish the blaze.
According to the Taipei City Fire Department, they received a report at around 11:17 AM regarding a fire in the Xiaoyoukeng area and immediately dispatched 4 command vehicles, 16 fire trucks, 1 ambulance, and 72 firefighters to the scene.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke rising from the mountain. Initial estimates indicate that approximately 250 square meters have been burned so far. The exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
The Yangmingshan National Park Administration announced on its official Facebook page that the Qixingshan (Seven Star Mountain) hiking trail starting from Xiaoyoukeng and the Xiaoyoukeng parking lot will be closed while firefighters work to put out the fire.
Taipei City Councilor Chang Ssu-kang posted a video of the fire scene on his Facebook page, urging residents in nearby areas to be cautious and advising those living in the direction of the wind to close their windows.
Yangmingshan is a volcanic national park located north of the Taipei Basin, renowned for its beautiful natural scenery and hot spring areas. It is a beloved recreational space and tourist attraction for citizens. The Xiaoyoukeng area, in particular, boasts unique scenery where visitors can directly observe traces of volcanic activity such as sulfur gas and hot mud pools.
With recent dry weather increasing the risk of wildfires, the fire department is focusing all its efforts on extinguishing the fire and preventing further spread of damage. Access to the fire area is restricted, and hikers and visitors are advised to follow the authorities' guidance for their safety.
Concerns are being raised that the natural environment of Yangmingshan may have been partially damaged by this fire. Discussions regarding the exact extent of the damage and recovery plans are expected after the fire is extinguished. The fire department is accelerating its investigation into the cause of the fire while also planning to strengthen patrols and surveillance activities to prevent similar wildfires from occurring.
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