Southwest China Grapples With Wildfires During Record Heatwave

At least 20 wildfires have broken out in China’s Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality since Aug. 14, according to media reports and government statements, as the country’s worst heatwave since 1961 continues to parch the southwestern regions.

In Chongqing alone, authorities have dispatched some 5,000 emergency rescue workers and seven helicopters to contain the fires, while transferring nearly 1,500 affected residents to safety. So far, no casualties have been reported.