Sanitation workers ignited flames to tackle icy streets amidst freezing temperatures in northern China.

The video was filmed in the city of Mohe in Heilongjiang Province on January 9.

According to reports, the sanitation workers faced criticism from residents for using fire to melt ice on the roads.

The Mohe City Urban Comprehensive Law Enforcement Brigade responded to the controversy, explaining that due to the extremely low temperatures in Mohe, using snow-melting agents would result in freezing, making it ineffective.

Since 2021, the city has been using flame torches to de-ice critical traffic intersections prone to freezing.

According to the Mohe City weather forecast, temperatures in the area have consistently ranged between -16 to -35 degrees Celsius recently.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

1月9日，黑龙江漠河市，环卫工人用火烤路面除冰被市民质疑浪费。对此，漠河市城市综合执法大队回应称，因漠河气温太低，洒融雪剂除冰会被冻住，2021年以来，当地在易结冰的交通路口，一直用喷灯火烤除冰。据漠河市天气预报显示，当地近期气温均在零下16至零下35摄氏度之间。