Comments on the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Committee’s Report on Forest Fires and Firefighting Efforts [1] (May 1955) 1. A map prepared by the General Staff was brought to me for review. Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript on May 19. 2. Sent to Zhu, Zhou, Deng, He, Deng Zikui, and Peng Zhen [2] for their information; returned to Ye Zilong [3]. Map of the Heilongjiang Forest Fires. Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript. Notes [1] Refers to the report dated May 17, 1955, submitted by the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Committee to the State Council, with copies also sent to the Ministry of Forestry and the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee, concerning forest fires and firefighting efforts. The report stated: I. The mountain fire in the Xiaoxing’anling area of the Hegang region, which had been vigorously fought by a mobilized force of 20,000 people over several days, has now been largely extinguished. Personnel are beginning to be withdrawn, and a thorough inspection is underway to prevent any rekindling. II.

There are three separate fire sites in the Daxing’anling Mountains within Huma County: First, west of the Panggu River and southwest of Lingmuer Station, where eleven separate fire fronts are active and the blaze is quite intense. Second, southeast of the Emur River, also with eleven fire fronts. Third, southeast of Malun, with two fire fronts of varying sizes. The entire fire zone lies between the Yilinggulu River and the Panggu River, stretching approximately sixty kilometers in length and fifteen kilometers in width. We are preparing to take every possible measure to combat the fires. In addition to the 450 personnel already at the scene in Huma and the 330 en route, we are currently mobilizing an additional 750 to rush to the site. Furthermore, we plan to dispatch 1,200 more from Nenjiang and 1,000 from Heihe to join the firefighting effort. [ ] Zhu refers to Zhu De. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time served as Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. He refers to He Long, then Vice Premier of the State Council. Deng Zikui refers to Deng Zikui, who was also a Vice Premier of the State Council at the time. Peng Zhen was then an alternate member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. [3] Ye Zilong was Mao Zedong’s secretary at the time.