Hong Kong Fire Services Department

Hillfire

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There is generally a higher incidence of hill fires on weekends and public holidays when the public flock to the countryside, as opposed to weekdays.  The dry weather in autumn and winter is especially prone to hill fires.  Fires can spread rapidly in strong winds and on steep grass slopes, posing a great threat to life and property.  Make a quick escape in the event of a hill fire.  Even if the fire scene is far ahead, you should back off and leave immediately instead of putting yourself in harm's way by continuing with the journey.

 

Fire Danger Warning

Fire danger warnings issued by the Hong Kong Observatory are based on weather conditions favouring the occurrence and spread of fires (such as low humidity and high wind speed), and on information on the dryness of vegetation supplied by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.  There are two levels of warning: Yellow and Red.  The Yellow Fire Danger Warning will be issued when the fire risk is high whereas the Red Fire Danger Warning will be issued when the fire risk is extreme.  When engaging in mountain activities, care must be taken to prevent hill fires..

Yellow rainstorm signals Yellow rainstorm signals

 

Emergency Information

Preparation

  • Stay tuned to weather reports, specially fire danger warnings.  Check the routes for escape.
  • Handle cigarette butts, lighters and all other ignition sources with care.
  • During grave sweeping, do not try to burn rubbish or weeds around the grave.
  • Light a fire only in designated places when engaging in mountain activities.  Extinguish all fires before leaving.
  • Stay alert to flying ashes and any burning smell as hill fires are more difficult to detect in daytime. 

 

During a hill fire

  • Stay calm and leave the fire scene immediately.
  • Do not follow the direction where the fire is spreading
  • Hill fires tend to spread upward and windward.  Going uphill will consume more energy.  If the situation permits, move sideways.
  • Escape along existing paths.
  • Stay away from thick bushes or overgrowth where hill fires spread more quickly.  Go to the places where the vegetation is thinner.
  • If the fire is approaching and there is no way out, cover your body with clothing before heading for areas already burned as this could minimise the chance of injury.

 
If trapped in a hill fire, you may inform rescuers of your location in the following ways:

  • Use a mobile phone to dial 999 for emergency services.  Your location will automatically be sent to the 999 Call Center *.
  • Open the "HKSOS" mobile phone application developed by the Hong Kong Police Force and press the "SOS" button to seek help.  The application will automatically send your location to the 999 Call Center.
  • Activate the GPS Hiker Tracking Service of the “Enjoy Hiking” mobile phone application developed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.  This will enable the GPS system to track your location.
  • Send the number of the nearest distance post to 50222 via SMS.
  • Use a whistle/mirror/flashlight or wave bright-coloured clothes to attract the attention of rescuers.  These items can also be used to convey the International Mountain Distress Signal, the Morse Code Distress Signal, or the SOS Distress Signal

*Only applicable when using mobile phones with advanced mobile location function to dial 999.
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