Yangmingshan Fire Recovery: A Year-Long Journey for Taipei's Green Heart

National Park Vegetation Faces Rebirth After Blaze, Ministry of the Interior Reports

Taipei, Taiwan – A recent wildfire that consumed approximately 4.5 hectares of vegetation in Taipei's iconic Yangmingshan National Park is expected to require around a year for complete recovery, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI).

The fire, which occurred near the Xiaoyoukeng Recreation Area, ravaged silvergrass and sections of the arrow bamboo forest. Wang Cheng-chi (王成機), head of the MOI's National Park Service, explained that while the surface vegetation was destroyed, the roots largely survived, offering hope for a natural restoration process. The fire, which ignited around 11:16 a.m. on April 14th, burned for about five hours across 32 hectares before being extinguished at 4:32 p.m. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.

Investigators believe the fire originated from air quality monitoring equipment belonging to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) located on the site. The blaze also caused damage to various park amenities, including ropes, sand-filled barriers, and wooden posts along the forest trail. Total estimated damages are between NT$1.7 million (US$52,260) and NT$1.8 million.

Hsiao Huan-chang (蕭煥章), National Fire Agency Director-General, confirmed that the lithium battery module and sensor components of the equipment, suspected to be the ignition source, are currently under analysis, with results expected by April 28th. Following the analysis, Taipei police and prosecutors will finalize a report within 15 to 30 days.

In response, the National Park Service is reinforcing its commitment to wildfire prevention. They will collaborate with the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, firefighting units, experts, and scholars to enhance the forest-fire early warning system. This includes joint drills and public disaster-prevention education, aiming to protect Yangmingshan's natural beauty for future generations.