TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A wildfire destroyed 5 hectares of forest on Shibi Shan (石壁山) in Yunlin County as authorities struggle to contain the blaze Tuesday (Jan. 13). The fire erupted a day earlier near the Rocky Hotel (石壁大飯店) in Caoling Village (草嶺村) and spread rapidly through challenging terrain amid dry, windy conditions. Three helicopters began aerial water drops at 7 a.m. Tuesday to combat the flames.
The Yunlin County Fire Department deployed three vehicles and 11 first responders after receiving reports Monday morning, but the fire continued spreading despite their efforts. The fire persisted through Monday afternoon, prompting officials to request helicopter support from the National Airborne Service Corps. Aerial operations were delayed until Tuesday morning due to darkness, forcing ground crews to battle the blaze overnight without air support.
The National Airborne Service Corps deployed three helicopters for aerial water drops at 7 a.m. Tuesday, while the fire department reinforced ground operations with seven vehicles and 20 additional responders. Local residents joined firefighting efforts alongside the Chiayi Forest District Office's Fenqihu Station (奮起湖工作站), using personal equipment to combat the flames. The combined force continues battling the fire across multiple fronts.
Caoling Village Chief Chen Ping-tung (陳兵通) warned the fire threatens valuable Moso bamboo and cedar trees in the area, potentially causing significant ecological and economic damage to the mountain community. No injuries have been reported as of Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters remain on scene working to establish containment lines and prevent the blaze from spreading to neighboring forests. ◼
