Fireworks Special Scenic Area Introduction
On the Hengchun Peninsula, there is a place surrounded by barren land, covered in yellowish sand, where bursts of orange-red flames emerge. They flicker with the wind, sometimes blazing brightly and at other times going out, dancing as if performing a fire dance. During the day, these small flames cannot compete with the brightness of the sun, making them less noticeable, but when night falls, it becomes their time to shine. This is the "Shooting Fire," a fascinating natural phenomenon. Shooting Fire is located about five kilometers outside Hengchun City, in geological strata belonging to the Kenting mudstone layer, which has many natural fissures that allow underground natural gas to seep through. When ignited, numerous flames are formed. Interestingly, because the natural gas escapes wherever there are gaps, these flames seem to wander around as if they have legs. The original site of the Shooting Fire was not in its current location; it was moved here after the CPC Corporation explored for oil and gas and drilled wells. Spring and winter are the dry seasons on the Hengchun Peninsula, with fewer rains, which means that the fissures in the mudstone are not easily blocked, resulting in more abundant Shooting Fire activity. In contrast, summer and autumn are rainy seasons when the sand gets muddy and blocks the fissures, causing these flames to have fewer opportunities to burn brightly. Nevertheless, this is a very unique phenomenon in Pingtung, and in 1996, it was specially designated as the "Shooting Fire Special Scenic Area," which includes interpretive signs, pedestrian walkways, and parking facilities. At night, the Shooting Fire scenic area often attracts many tourists. Although they may not know each other, they gather around the flames, sitting, standing, or chatting, creating a warm scene. Perhaps it is the surrounding darkness that makes the light a source of warmth for the heart.
