Yangmingshan Blaze: A Victory Against Nature's Fury in Taiwan

Swift Action Extinguishes Mountain Fire, Protecting Pristine Landscapes

Taipei, Taiwan – A significant fire erupted on Monday morning within the scenic Yangmingshan National Park in northern Taiwan, but thanks to the rapid response of multiple agencies, the blaze was brought under control within five hours.

The fire, which began around 11 a.m. near the Xiaoyoukeng Recreation Area, was extinguished by 4:32 p.m., demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated emergency efforts. The initial cause of the fire may be linked to a state-run air quality sensor, according to the Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters.

The device, operated by the National Center for High-performance Computing under the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), is now under investigation to ascertain its exact role in the incident. Authorities are working to determine the fire's precise origin and contributing factors.

The Taipei City Fire Department spearheaded the firefighting operations, initially deploying 72 personnel, four command vehicles, 16 fire trucks, and an ambulance. The response was quickly bolstered, increasing the on-site personnel to 91 and adding five more command vehicles and eight fire trucks. The New Taipei City Fire Department also provided crucial support, sending two vehicles and four firefighters.

Adding to the complex operation, Taiwan's National Air Service Corps deployed a Black Hawk helicopter from Taichung City, which performed aerial water drops. The fire consumed approximately 50 hectares (0.3 square kilometers) of land in the Mt. Qixing area, and the fire's location in a saddle between two ridges contributed to its spread.

As of Monday afternoon, the Beitou Precinct of the Taipei City Police Department reported no injuries. The situation is now under control, and investigations are ongoing to understand the full scope of the incident and determine the necessary steps for prevention.