Fire broke out in forests and mountainside in Chongqing, on August 18, quickly spread to near locations. The smoke almost covered of the city center where 32 million people live.
The fire handled by the help of 5,000 people including police officers, firefighters and volunteer citizens and 7 helicopters, and 1500 residents were evacuated from their houses. All activities are currently forbidden in China.
Red alarm was issued for certain regions of China on August 12.