Three hikers from Nantou County entered the mountains from Dongpu, Nantou on the 7th. On the 14th, when they reached the 24K point of Zhongping Forest Road and were preparing to cross a stream, they were blocked by flash floods and rising water levels. They called the fire department for help and were airlifted down the mountain by helicopter on the 17th after the weather cleared, successfully escaping the danger. However, since the three had not applied for a mountain entry permit, the Hualien County Fire Bureau decided to fine each of them NT$60,000, marking the first penalty issued under Hualien’s Mountain Entry Regulations.
Hualien County Government, due to frequent mountain accidents, implemented its self-drafted “Mountain Activities Management Autonomous Ordinance” this year. The public entering mountainous areas within Hualien must apply for entry as required, carry appropriate gear, and purchase comprehensive mountain insurance. Those who fail to comply may face fines of up to NT$50,000. The three hikers on the 17th who did not apply for entry have become the first case subject to such penalties.
Zhang Chongbin, deputy chief of the Hualien County Fire Bureau’s Third Division, said the three hikers reported to the fire department via mobile phone that they were trapped at the 24K point of Zhongping Forest Road in Zhuoxi Township, Hualien, due to rising stream water. However, as they still had two days’ worth of rations and were not in immediate danger, and considering that heavy rain was falling in Hualien at the time, they were advised to temporarily retreat to the shelter at the 35K work hut on Zhongping Forest Road to avoid the downpour.
Zhang Chongbin stated that the Hualien County Fire Bureau deployed ground personnel for rescue operations and also requested air support for aerial rescue. It wasn’t until the 17th, when the weather cleared, that the Air Rescue Squadron used a Black Hawk helicopter to lift all individuals to Ruisui Junior High School in Hualien County. All were safe and sound.
As for the self-payment of search and rescue costs stipulated in Article 14 of the same ordinance, the Hualien County Fire Bureau explained that the helicopters of the Air Rescue Squadron are under the jurisdiction of the central government, which currently has no set fee standards for helicopter dispatches for rescue missions. Additionally, the Hualien County Fire Bureau did not incur any overtime expenses, so the three individuals are not expected to bear the costs of the rescue operation.