China: At least 19 killed by ongoing forest fire in Sichuan province March 31

Event

As of Tuesday, March 31, at least 19 people have been killed by an ongoing forest fire in Sichuan province. According to officials, the fire erupted at a farm on Monday, March 30, and has since burned 1000 hectares (2470 acres) of land. More than 1200 local residents have been evacuated due to the fire, which is threatening a number of facilities, schools, and villages in the area. Firefighters and emergency personnel have been deployed to the scene to combat the blaze.

Further spread of the fire is expected in the coming days. A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions, namely road closures, should be anticipated in the affected areas.

Advice

Individuals in Sichuan province are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the area, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.