"As we started the mission together, we were bound to go back home together," firefighter Wen Weiqiang said after a 12-hour operation on May 2.
Wen Weiqiang. /Weibo of local forest fire brigade
Southeast China's Fujian Forest Fire Brigade received an emergency call of a fast spreading forest fire in Datian Country at night on May 1. Over 200 firefighters were sent off to the fire site.
According to the drone survey, the fire site, which is 650 meters above the sea level, was fully covered with flammable shrub and thatch, making it much harder.
They were also facing three intermittent fire lines, stretching from southeast to northwest. One of the fire lines was only 200 meters away from Taokeng Village.
The Fujian Forest Fire Brigade at work. /Weibo of local forest fire brigade
During the operation, one of Wen's eyes swelled due to the heavy smoke and high temperature. With no medical support, his teammate could only relief it temporarily with water.
"But he didn't request to withdraw from the front line," an officer said afterwards. "He fought with us till the last minute."
Wen Weiqiang had one of his eyes injured during the operation. /Weibo of local forest fire brigade
Wen and his team members successfully cut off the forest line towards the village in two hours. The operation lasted the whole night since the wind was relatively weak. At 6:30 in the morning of May 2, most of the flames were extinguished.
Wen and his team mate. /Weibo of local forest fire brigade
The pictures of Wen and his colleagues carrying out fire fighting operation has received 52.51 million views on Weibo, one of China's largest social media platforms.
"Why do we see forest fire again? This is horrible. Firefighters have been working so hard in dangerous. Respect!" @Dayueyuexinshui85 commented.
"Young firefighters are our hero," said some who sent regards to him and wished them the best luck in future operations.