Hong Kong wildfire nearly out, no casualties reported

A wildfire in a hiking area that had been burning since Saturday in the northwestern New Territories, near the boundary between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Shenzhen, Guangdong province, was largely extinguished by 2:08 pm on Sunday.

As of press time, no casualties had been reported.

The blaze — the second to break out in Yuen Long district in two weeks — occurred during exceptionally dry weather, which is expected to persist through Monday.

A staff member at the Yuen Long Fire Station told local media on Sunday that while dry weather was a contributing factor, the exact cause of the wildfire was still under investigation. Authorities also advised the public to avoid visiting the region for now.

The fire started shortly after 5:30 pm on Saturday at Kai Kung Leng, a popular hiking area in Yuen Long, and was reported to be under control by about 10:40 am on Sunday.

Local media reported that the flames had extended more than 500 meters in length at the peak of the blaze, posing a threat to a nearby stray animal shelter housing some 170 dogs and cats.

A couple hiking in the mountains reported being trapped on Saturday and were later airlifted to safety.

According to the Fire Services Department, firefighters equipped with fire beaters managed to contain the blaze on Sunday morning after working through the night. Helicopters conducted water-bombing operations to provide aerial support. To prevent the fire from spreading, the fire department established two fire breaks around the affected area.

The Big Tree Animal Sanctuary and Adoption Centre in Kam Tin reported that the section of the fire threatening its shelter was extinguished by 5:30 am on Sunday, and all the animals were safe.

The Hong Kong Observatory stated that as of Sunday afternoon, a red fire warning remained in effect, indicating an "extreme" risk of fire. It added that a winter monsoon had brought very dry weather across coastal Guangdong, resulting in lower humidity levels in Hong Kong.

The forecast predicted continued clear and dry conditions overnight, with moderate to fresh winds from the north to northeast through Monday.

The Civil Aid Service, which also participated in the firefighting effort, noted on social media that high winds and dry conditions create an environment conducive to the occurrence and spread of wildfires.

Kai Kung Leng, also known as Rooster Ridge, is a steep, grassy trail located in Lam Tsuen Country Park in the northern New Territories. The area is popular among hikers for its scenic views of Shenzhen's skyline.