As a subtropical island, Taiwan is not prone to many large wildfires. However, a recent fire in Miaoli Country shows that Taiwan is not entirely immune.
Video script:
Fire department helicopters drop water over a wildfire burning in Miaoli County. The fire was first reported on Sunday, and as firefighters approached the flames, the wind direction suddenly shifted, blowing heat, ashes, and smoke toward the fire crews.
At least 20 rounds of water were carried out over the fire, but it has yet to be fully contained as of Monday morning.
Miaoli County Fire Department’s Yang Li-pin (楊力品) says that the fire crews had been fighting the fire for about two hours when the wind suddenly shifted, enveloping the firefighters in smoke and heat.
At least 10 of the firefighters were sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation and other injuries. Fortunately, all 10 have been discharged from the hospital.
Yang says the fire is slowly being contained, but the fire department is still closely monitoring the situation.