Taiwan News Quick Take

Another surge of northeasterly winds is forecast to affect Taiwan from Saturday night through Sunday, bringing slightly cooler temperatures and more widespread rain across the north and east, the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島) and mountainous areas in the west, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The current northeasterly winds would continue to weaken, allowing temperatures to rise gradually through tomorrow, although mornings and evenings would remain cool, it said. Conditions are expected to stabilize early next week, with only isolated showers forecast for the east, the agency said.

SOCIETY

Fire reported at Ma-anshan

A fire broke out at a recycling and maintenance facility at Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County yesterday, but the blaze was far from the reactors and no casualties were reported, Taiwan Power Co said. The fire started at 10:15am at the facility, prompting the plant’s firefighting team to respond and call for assistance from local firefighters, Taipower said. The cause of the fire was under investigation, it said. The Pingtung County Fire Bureau said it dispatched seven vehicles and 12 personnel from the Hengchun and Kenting fire stations and its fourth brigade to help extinguish the blaze. The fire was brought under control at 10:51am, the bureau said.

EVENTS

Christmasland opens soon

The New Taipei City’s Christmasland opens tomorrow, with festive lighting, themed markets and performances to be held through Dec. 27, the city government said on Tuesday. A trial lighting of the main Christmas tree on the north side of the city hall in Banciao District (板橋) was held on Tuesday night, the New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department said. A giant inflatable installation featuring Japanese illustrator Kanahei’s “Small Animals” characters has been attracting visitors over the past few days, it said. The pedestrian bridge between the city hall and the Mega City department store has been decorated with lights and artificial roses to create a tunnel-like “floral gallery,” while laser light shows are to illuminate the city hall facade. Christmas markets selling food and souvenirs would be open daily at New Taipei City Plaza and Banqiao Station Square, and on weekends at Fuzhong Plaza, the city government said. A winter-themed sports day is to be held Nov. 22, featuring a snowball-fighting competition and an inline skating obstacle course, the festival’s Web site says. Other events include a children’s circus, a German Christmas market and a choral concert.

NATURE

Bears spotted on Nantou trail

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s Nantou Branch yesterday urged hikers to exercise caution in the mountains after two Formosan black bears were spotted near the Nenggao Cross-Ridge Historical Trail (能高越嶺古道) in Nantou County. Hikers on Monday afternoon filmed two bears near the 3.3km and 3.4km section of the trail, the branch said. The branch said it had stepped up preventive measures in the area, including monitoring bear activity, raising public awareness of bear protection and reminding visitors to stay alert, and properly store food and garbage to avoid attracting bears. The area around the trail is a natural habitat for Formosan black bears, it said. Visitors should take precautions, including avoiding hiking alone and carrying bear bells, bear spray or other noisemaking devices to reduce the risk of encounters.