Thousands evacuated from forest fire in northern China

Thousands of people have been evacuated after a forest fire broke out in Qinyuan County, northern China's Shanxi Province, on Friday, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

A forest fire breaks out in Qinyuan County, northern China's Shanxi Province, on March 29, 2019. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

As of 7 a.m. Saturday, more than 3,800 locals had been evacuated, the ministry said. No casualties were reported.

A total area of 360 hectares had been burnt, and over 1,700 firefighters had been dispatched.

A work team sent by the ministry has arrived at the site to help quench the blaze.