Chongqing - As a scorching heatwave grips Chongqing, pushing temperatures above 40°C and triggering the highest red alerts, the intense heat has mobilized a citywide response—on the ground and in the skies. With wildfire risks climbing and daily life moving indoors, Chongqing is responding with both high-tech forest patrols and practical measures to support those working outdoors.

On July 15, at Longxing General Airport in Liangjiang New Area, the Aviation Rescue Team of Chongqing Emergency Management Bureau maps out the day’s aerial patrol plan. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

Tech-enabled Patrol Safeguards Chongqing's Forests

As Chongqing bakes under relentless heat, the city has entered its high-risk summer wildfire season. Prolonged sunny weather has pushed forest fire risk to its peak across much of the municipality, making fire prevention and response a top priority.

At the Chongqing Emergency Management Bureau’s Aviation Rescue Team, helicopters are now patrolling the skies more frequently, focusing on vulnerable green zones like Mingyue Mountain and Tongluo Mountain. Each day, pilots and crew simulate real-world firefighting scenarios—spotting smoke, collecting water from nearby reservoirs, and dousing simulated blazes within minutes of detection. “Though these are drills, we aim to recreate real emergencies as closely as possible,” Deputy Commander Cao Jiaquan explained.

On July 15, 2025, helicopters from the Chongqing Emergency Management Bureau's Aviation Rescue Team patrol Tongluo Mountain and Mingyue Mountain from the air. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

On July 15, at Longxing General Airport in Liangjiang New Area, members of the Aviation Rescue Team of Chongqing Emergency Management Bureau conducted a thorough safety check on the helicopter. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

Inside the cockpit, temperatures quickly exceed 42°C, drenching uniforms with sweat as pilots and spotters remain focused and composed. Their efforts are reinforced by a growing fleet of drones, which, thanks to advanced digital platforms, can relay live images, magnify potential fire sources up to 30 times, and trigger instant alerts to emergency command centers. This tech-enabled teamwork enables a rapid, coordinated response.

On July 15, in Longxing, Yubei District, a member of the Aviation Rescue Team of Chongqing Emergency Management Bureau conducts a forest patrol from a helicopter, reinforcing the aerial-ground “firewall” for forest fire prevention. (Photo/Liu Li)

The Aviation Rescue Team now operates from three strategic bases—Longxing, Wanzhou, and Qianjiang—each equipped with helicopters, drones, and dedicated crews. This network ensures a citywide response within an hour, forming a robust aerial “firewall” to protect Chongqing’s vast forested landscapes.

Citywide Support for Delivery Workers

However, the high temperatures are also felt on the ground, particularly by the city’s delivery workers. As many residents stay indoors, orders for food and cold drinks have soared—some platforms report a 50% increase in ice drink deliveries compared to last year. The city’s thousands of delivery riders, braving the searing sun, have become a vital lifeline for Chongqing’s citizens.

Local authorities and businesses have stepped up their support, creating more than 6,300 “resting stations” across the city, where riders can escape the heat, recharge their phones, and refresh with cold drinks and access to first aid supplies. At community service centers, riders find not only air conditioning and refreshments, but also psychological counseling and legal aid. “In the past, we’d have to find shade wherever we could,” said Sun Ke, a veteran rider. “Now, these stations are our first stop to cool off and recharge.”

On July 15, a delivery rider receives free career guidance and psychological counseling in Jiangbei District, Chongqing. (Photo/Li Yuheng)

Platforms are also extending delivery times and supplying riders with cooling products such as herbal cooling drinks, ice sleeves, and cooling patches. Riders say most customers are patient and understanding about potential delays, leaving encouraging messages like “Take your time” and “Thanks for your hard work.”

Many city malls have set up dedicated rest areas and “love fridges” stocked with free cold water and herbal drinks for outdoor workers. The city recently issued guidelines mandating measures to reduce heat stress for outdoor workers, including minimizing outdoor work during peak heat hours and extending delivery windows to ensure health and safety.

On July 15, delivery riders enjoy chilled watermelon together in Jiangbei District, Chongqing. (Photo/Li Yuheng)

In the thick of a heatwave, Chongqing’s digital infrastructure and spirit of care—from high-tech fire patrols to urban rest stops—have helped the city withstand extreme temperatures. Together, these efforts demonstrate not just resilience but the warmth and solidarity that define this mountainous metropolis.