One of the mountains in Guangzhou's Huadu district, Panguwang Mountain, yesterday (December 4) caught fire at 6 p.m. The fire had spread to more than 4 hills within 4 hours with a speed of over 20 meters per minute till 8 p.m.

According to the Forest Fire Prevention Office of Guangzhou Forestry Bureau, the fire started in Qingyuan city and spread across the broader to Huadu by a strong wind. Until 10 p.m. yesterday, over 500 officers and soldiers were sent to extinguish the fire. Because of the complicated geographic situation and the strong wind, they needed to wait until midnight and for the humidity to rise, which would allow them to conduct further fire-fighting action.

Some insiders said there is an isolation zone between the fire site and surrounding villages. Local residents are not expected to
be harmed.

Editor: Wing