Summary：Currently, the Greater Khingan Range forest region is experiencing persistent high temperatures and drought, along with frequent dry thunderstorm activity, creating a severe fire prevention situation. The National Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters is closely monitoring summer forest fire conditions and strengthening coordination and guidance; meanwhile, local forest fire prevention agencies remain on high alert and are responding scientifically, effectively handling recent sudden fire incidents.
Currently, the Greater Khingan Range forest region is experiencing persistent high temperatures and drought, along with frequent dry lightning activity, creating a severe fire prevention situation. The National Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters is closely monitoring summer forest fire conditions and strengthening coordination and guidance; meanwhile, local forest fire prevention departments remain on high alert and are responding scientifically, effectively handling a series of recent sudden fire incidents.
I. Weather Conditions
Since the onset of summer, the Greater Khingan Range forest region has faced historically rare high temperatures, drought, and thunderstorm activity. There has been no effective precipitation for nearly 20 days, and moderate to severe drought conditions have emerged in some areas. Temperatures have remained consistently high, peaking at 37°C. Since June, dry lightning activity has been continuous; over ten thousand lightning strikes have been recorded in the northern part of the region, creating an extremely critical fire risk situation.
II. Fire Situation
Between June 14 and July 5, a total of 81 forest fires occurred in the Greater Khingan Range forest region (56 in Heilongjiang and 25 in Inner Mongolia). These fires were concentrated primarily in the northern forest areas and were confirmed to have been caused by lightning strikes. As of 12:00 on July 5, with the exception of two fires in the Inner Mongolia section of the Greater Khingan Range that are still being suppressed (though there are no open flames on the perimeter and the situation is fully under control), all other fires were completely extinguished within a short period. No major or catastrophic forest fires or casualties occurred, marking a successful response to a concentrated outbreak of lightning-induced forest fires.
III. Response Measures
First, attaching great importance and making early deployments. The National Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters conducted advance consultations on summer fire risk trends and issued the "Forecast of Climate Trends and Forest Fire Risk Situations in Major National Forest Regions for Summer 2017." Twenty-seven helicopters were deployed to areas prone to lightning-induced fires, remaining on standby for immediate action. A special on-site meeting was held on June 13 to emphasize and coordinate summer forest fire prevention efforts. Local authorities also implemented targeted deployment plans for summer forest fire prevention in accordance with the requirements of the national headquarters.
Second, maintaining high readiness and thorough preparation. The National Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters strengthened duty staffing, implementing a 24-hour watch and leadership-led shift system. They closely monitored fire conditions across various regions, enhanced coordination and guidance, and ensured the smooth flow of information. Checkpoints, patrol teams, and lookout personnel across forest areas in Northeast China and Inner Mongolia have recently assumed their posts, intensifying patrols and maintaining a vigilant watch. Aerial forest protection stations are conducting manned helicopter patrols in areas prone to lightning-induced fires. Forest fire brigades and professional firefighting teams have been deployed to forward positions and are standing by in concentrated groups, effectively shortening the response radius for fire suppression.
Third, accurate positioning and timely detection. Local forest fire prevention departments have collaborated with meteorological agencies to implement early warning and response measures and enhance lightning monitoring capabilities. In the event of a fire, aerial patrol aircraft, high-altitude lookout towers, and ground patrol teams can detect and pinpoint the fire's location immediately, creating the conditions for rapid suppression.
Fourth, massive deployment of forces and scientific firefighting strategies. During peak periods for lightning-induced fires, Commander-in-Chief Zhang Jianlong has personally overseen operations from the command center, coordinating and guiding suppression efforts, while Deputy Commander-in-Chief Li Shuming has monitored the situation via telephone and issued clear directives while on an overseas visit. Party committees and governments in affected areas have attached great importance to firefighting operations, with key leaders frequently issuing instructions. Participating units have committed substantial forces and employed scientific command strategies; overcoming challenges such as extreme heat, complex terrain, and difficult access, they have rapidly and successfully handled multiple fire incidents, effectively safeguarding national forest resources.
Moving forward, the Office of the National Forest Fire Prevention and Control Headquarters will continue to strengthen scheduling and duty operations for summer forest fire prevention, ensuring seamless information flow and effective command. At the same time, the office will carefully summarize lessons learned from recent lightning-induced fire responses and organize specialized research into the patterns of summer lightning-induced forest fires and the tactics and techniques for suppressing them. It will also enhance cooperation and information sharing with meteorological agencies regarding lightning monitoring, early warning systems, and the study of dry thunderstorm activity patterns. Furthermore, the office will guide relevant regions to improve infrastructure—such as helipads, water storage facilities, lightning protection equipment, and command-and-dispatch systems—striving to enhance capabilities in preventing and controlling summer lightning-induced forest fires and ensuring that no major incidents occur.
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