Firefighters and civilians gathered Monday to celebrate victory in the battle against a 10-day forest fire in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Local authorities announced the fire was extinguished after monitoring the forest for 72 hours since the blazing flames were put out last Friday.

The forest fire began in Anning City, about 28 kilometers from Kunming, capital of Yunnan, on March 29.

It ruined 1,333 hectares of forest, but caused no casualties or damage to homes. More than 800 evacuated villagers have returned to their homes.

Premier Wen Jiabao and other high-ranking officials including Hui Liangyu, Zhou Yongkang and Hua Jianmin have monitored progress of the firefighters, asking rescuers to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Police have arrested a woman in connection with the alleged arson that started the blaze.

The woman, in her 20s, gave no name or address, and had been sent to a psychiatric institution for evaluation, said forestry officials.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2006)