Chongqing - In the summer of 2022, Sichuan and Chongqing experienced an unusual heatwave. From August 11, wildfires broke out in various parts of Chongqing, with the fiercest blaze raging on Jinyun Mountain. As the flames devoured the land, a display of unity unfolded on the night of August 25, when a barrier of isolation and an army of rescue forces formed a "fire-defense Great Wall."

A year has passed, and the forests once ravaged by the fire have regained new greenery. However, the resolute and heartwarming unity displayed by ordinary citizens who joined hands with professionals on the frontline remains etched in memory.

Four individuals closest to the fire shared their experiences a year after the extinguishing of the Jinyun Mountain wildfire.

To hold a wedding with a "comrade-in-arms"

A year has passed since the Jinyun Mountain wildfire, and for Wu Puhui, it has been a year of happiness and fulfillment.

Wu Puhui's name might not be widely recognized, but the people of Chongqing will surely remember the "Butterfly Knot Lady Knight." Amid the wildfire, Wu Puhui, a post-90s individual, was among the "motorcycle knights" who fought the fire. She was called the "Butterfly Knot Lady Knight" because of a butterfly-shaped bow on her helmet. Carrying around forty to fifty kilograms of supplies per trip, she made dozens of trips a day.

In 2022, Wu Puhui and her boyfriend fought side by side on the frontline of the wildfire. (Photo/Qian Bo)

This September, Wu Puhui is about to have her own "motorcycle wedding," with her partner being her "comrade-in-arms." In last year's Chongqing wildfire, Wu Puhui's courageous acts of using her off-road motorcycle to transport relief supplies at Jinyun Mountain deeply moved Li Youlin. Seeing this determined young woman who had just learned to ride a motorcycle, Li Youlin decided to stand alongside her. While the wildfire was extinguished, the flames of their love only grew stronger. The experience of jointly battling the wildfire brought them together, and they obtained their marriage license in February of this year.

Furthermore, in February of this year, Wu Puhui joined the Chongqing Blue Sky Rescue Team.

"A rescue experience that is unforgettable for a lifetime. I witnessed the unity that emerges in the face of danger," Wu Puhui said. Using the specialized rescue knowledge she acquired, she aims to assist more people in need, finding happiness in doing so.

On this year's Arbor Day, Wu Puhui participated in a tree-planting activity on Jinyun Mountain. Standing in the area where she had participated in the wildfire rescue, looking at the newly grown trees, she smiled and said, "I planted six trees. This forest requires our collective protection."

One year after extinguishing the Jinyun Mountain wildfire, Wu Puhui returns to the scene. (Photo/Qian Bo)

Document the striking scenes

Zhou Xuan, a photography enthusiast who came from Nanjing to study in Chongqing, shares a unique connection with the city.

In 2007, Zhou Xuan arrived in Chongqing and was captivated by the city's distinctive charm. He stayed in this beautiful city, where he later worked as a photojournalist, reflecting his love for Chongqing in his work. Over the past decade, he has captured over 100,000 photos of Chongqing, each conveying his unique feelings for the city.

During the Jinyun Mountain wildfire, Zhou Xuan used aerial photography to capture a scene: as night fell, the wildfire approached the isolation barriers. A team of firefighters from the People's Liberation Army, government officials, and volunteers formed a line of extinguishers stretching from the foot of the mountain to its summit. From above, the blazing wildfire formed a "gigantic fire dragon" on the left, created by the isolation barriers, while the gathering flashlights formed a "starlight Great Wall" on the right. The arrangement coincidentally formed a large "人" character (meaning means "people"), symbolizing people coming together to construct the "fire-defense Great Wall" to protect their homes.

Scenes captured by Zhou Xuan in Jinyun Mountain. (Photo/Zhou Xuan)

Zhou Xuan's work moved millions of netizens, garnering 5 billion views across the web. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersons Hua Chunying and Wang Wenbin also shared his work on their personal overseas social media accounts, receiving praise from international netizens. The video was selected and published in the latest 2023 national image promotion film, "《PRC》: This is Me, the People's Republic of China."

Zhou Xuan explained that he captured these unforgettable scenes to let the entire nation and even the world witness the spirit of Chongqing's people and their unique demeanor.

One year later, Zhou Xuan returned to Jinyun Mountain, still deeply passionate about his work and the city of Chongqing. (Photo/Qian Bo)

Impressed by unity

"In the process of last year's wildfire rescue, the thing that left the deepest impression on me was 'unity'!" recalls Frank, an American professor at Southwest University. He noted that firefighters and soldiers fought on the front lines, volunteers transported supplies, delivered meals, and created isolation barriers. Actively participating in firefighting and rescue, Southwest University also opened its campus during the most challenging period, inviting helicopters, firefighters, community workers, and volunteers to rest at the university. Everyone worked together, much like a familiar team, and this is the power of "unity."

In 2022, Frank rides a motorcycle, preparing to go up the mountain for rescue. (Photo/Internet)

"Faced with difficulties, the Chinese people display unity and a spirit of overcoming challenges together," Frank said. While he was present in Chongqing and participated in the Jinyun Mountain wildfire rescue, he saw the spirit of unity not only in Chongqing but also in other instances, like the recent floods in the northern regions. He witnessed the incredible spirit of the Chinese people as they united to provide assistance and overcome crises.

"Because I consider China my home, I'm very happy to see this," Frank said. Living in such a community is wonderful because when you face difficulties, everyone extends a helping hand and takes care of each other.

One year later, Frank returns to Jinyun Mountain, where he participated in the rescue. (Photo/Qian Bo)

Shouldering the Responsibility

"As a firefighter, in such a daunting forest fire task, the thing I felt most was the 'responsibility' on my shoulders!" said Dong Changjiang, a firefighter from the Beibei Fire Rescue Station. In past frontline firefighting and rescue battles, his colleagues were his most reliable support, but during last year's wildfire, the most reliable support for the firefighters was the people of Chongqing.

In 2022, Dong Changjiang was battling the flames. (Photo/Qian Bo)

"Our backs are supported by the people of Chongqing, which makes me feel the weight of my responsibility even more," Dong Changjiang said. After the Jinyun Mountain wildfire last year, the Beibei Fire Rescue Station organized numerous training sessions focused on wildfire extinguishing, bolstered equipment procurement, and provided training for firefighters on equipment usage. They also conducted forest firefighting drills every three months.

One year later, Dong Changjiang returns to Jinyun Mountain, reminiscing about the scenes from that time. (Photo/Qian Bo)

On March 28 this year, the "Moving Chongqing Top 10 Figures of 2022" were announced, with the special award paid tribute to the firefighters who stood up regardless of their professions last summer, leaving the audience deeply moved.

Dong Changjiang, representing the "Heroes," received the award on stage. "This award doesn't just belong to the firefighters; it belongs to the thousands of Chongqing people. It belongs to every 'hero.' I feel extremely honored!"