At around noon on Sunday a forest fire in southwest China's Yunnan Province was extinguished, the local fire control headquarters have reported. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. 

 

The fire broke out at around 6 PM on Wednesday in Cimeige of Yulong County. It was almost brought under control Saturday morning but flared up again when strong winds blew that afternoon.

 

About 1,000 people, including soldiers and police, fought the blaze which lasted about 11 hours.

 

More than 3,000 people were later mobilized to check the area to ensure the fire didn't flare up again, explained fire headquarters.

 

Another forest fire in the same province, which broke out Friday afternoon near a scenic spot in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, was also brought under control by noon on Sunday, police reported.

 

No casualties have been reported from either of the fires. Investigations are ongoing.

 

 

 

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2006)