No major injuries or deaths have so far been reported during the fire-fighting in north China's Greater Hinggan Mountains area which has lasted for three weeks, local sources said on Friday.
"A dozen fires have been extinguished or brought under control,and there have been no major casualties. This is a miracle," said Chen Shaojun, board director of the Inner Mongolia Forestry Group.
A total of 13,732 people, including 5,669 forest rangers and 8,063 forestry workers, have taken part in the firefighting in China's second largest mobilization for combating forest fires since 1987, sources said.
Chen said the firefighting had been properly organized and wellsupervised.
The Central Committee of Communist Party of China, State Council and local leaders of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have also been greatly concerned about the safety of the firefighters and took a series of measures to prevent any major casualties, said Xiao Xingwei, director of the fire prevention office under the State Forestry Administration.
Logistics departments have ensured a regular supply of food anddrinks to the firefighters and guaranteed the quality of the supply by thorough checks. Local hospitals have sent medical teamsto the firefighting front, local officials said.
The Greater Hinggan Mountains region, where China's largest virgin forest reserve lies, was ravaged by major forest fires in 1987, causing huge economic losses and many casualties.
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2002)
