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Weather radar has demonstrated the ability to monitor wildfires and associated smoke plumes. However, the long-range, S-band operational radar network has severe limitations in providing high-resolution observations in the lower atmosphere due to the earth curvature. This paper presents an innovative technique of using shorter-range, low-power, fast scanning X-band radar for monitoring wildfires. Sample observations from wildfire events in southern China show that the polarimetric radar correlation coefficient of wildfire echoes varies from 0.55 to 0.75, with an average value of 0.61; the differential reflectivity varies from 2.28 to 5.08 dB with an average value of 3.99 dB; the differential propagation phase varies from 40.27 degrees to 69.27 degrees, with an average value of 56.66 degrees; and all observables exhibit subtle changes at different scanning elevation angles. In addition, changes in echo intensity observed by higher elevation scans lag behind those observed by lower elevation scans, and the change of wildfire area lags behind the variation of echo intensity. Given the emerging interest in deploying such compact, cheaper X-band systems for urban hydrometeorological applications, it is expected that these radars, customized with flexible scan strategy, will provide new opportunities and advantages in wildfire detection and mitigation.