Southwest China battles forest fires

Hundreds of firefighters are battling forest fires that have been sweeping mountain forests in three different counties in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling forest fires that have been sweeping mountain forests in three different counties in southwest China's Sichuan Province. [Photo: Sichuan Daily]

A forest fire that killed 27 firefighters and three locals a week ago in Muli County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, started to burn again Saturday afternoon.

In addition, the counties of Yuexi and Mianning, also in Liangshan, have been battered by forest fires since Sunday, according to the local government of the prefecture.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, three helicopters had been sent for fire detection and extinguishing work in Li'er Village, Yalongjiang Township of Muli. Over 1,000 ground forces, including firefighters and locals, were dispatched to the site.

The fire in Muli first broke out on March 30, which was initially extinguished April 2. Strong wind caused the fire to start up again.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, 490 people and a helicopter were dispatched to battle the fire in Mianning. The area burnt by the fire reached 19 hectares, according to the county government.

The meteorological department of the prefecture said that during the first three months of this year, parts of the prefecture have seen higher temperatures and less rainfall than previous years.

The prefecture will experience windy weather on Tuesday, with potential hazards for forest fires remaining high.