1st Ld-writethru Forest fire p

1st Ld-writethru: Forest fire put out in southwest China after raging three days

KUNMING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A mountain forest fire that had been raging three days in southwest China's Yunnan Province was put out Wednesday, local authorities said.

More than 4,900 firemen, soldiers and villagers had been mobilized and excavators, bulldozers, pumps and helicopters were used to fight against the fire that started at about 2:09 p.m. Sunday in the forest on the Mt. Yangmei in the Yi Autonomous County of Shilin, said Gao Bin, of the Yunnan Forest Police Corps.

An initial investigation shows that the fire spread up to 10 km and burnt 92 hectares of forest. It also forced the evacuation of about 3,400 villagers.

An initial investigation showed the fire was started when a farmer tried to burn out weed in his orchard. Police have detained the farmer surnamed Luo for further questioning.

"Currently, more than 1,600 people are clearing the scene to guard against new flames," Gao said.

Another fire, spread from neighboring Myanmar Tuesday to Tengchong County of Baoshan City, had also been extinguished as of 4:10 p.m. Wednesday thanks to more than 1,500 people's efforts, according to the fire control office of pandora beads Baoshan.

More than 300 people are clearing some 58 hectares of burnt forest there.

11:10 - 2010-Mar-5 - comments {1} - post comment

1st LD-Writethru Forest fire i

1st LD-Writethru: Forest fire in southwest China province partially controlled

KUNMING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A forest fire that has been raging for two days on Mt. Cangshan, a picturesque mountain in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has been partially contained, the local fire control authority said Tuesday.

The fire broke out at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, and has burnt 70 hectares in the mountain by 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Forest Fire Control Headquarters in Yangbi Yi Autonomous County, Dali.

The headquarters said that more than 2,000 visitors and local residents have been evacuated and no casualty had been reported.

A helicopter has been sent to aid the fire control work in the hilly forest land. Roads linking to the mountainous area have been cordoned off, according to the headquarters.

It said that more than 700 people including local residents and soldiers had been working to put out the fire. The weather service department has also carried out measures to increase rainfall.

To facilitate the rescue and minimize economic losses, local county government has earmarked a relief fund of 200,000 yuan (29,282 U.S. dollars).

Given that some regions were too difficult for even fire fighters to scramble up, the rolex replica headquarters have decided to dig fire barriers first to contain the licking flame and then to clear off the remaining fire.

Fire fighters feared that gusty wind may carry sparks elsewhere and cause a relapse.

Open flames could be seen clearly from the foot of the mountain by 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The fire control headquarters said 84 forest fires had been reported in the province since November last year, an increase of 611 percent more than the same period of the previous year.

Yunnan is suffering the worst drought in 60 years. But windy weather has replica balenciaga handbags helped forest fires overspread fast, according to the provincial forestry department.

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