SW China forest fire extinguished

KUNMING -- A forest fire that broke out on Thursday afternoon in southwest China's Yunnan Province has been put out, local authorities said on Saturday.

The fire, which started around 3 pm in the border areas between the towns of Longpan and Lashi in Yulong Naxi autonomous county, was extinguished at about 11:30 am on Saturday, a county government information office official said.

A total of 1,695 people, including the forest police, army, professional fire-fighting teams and local residents, are clearing the ember and monitoring the situation at the site.

No casualties have been reported and it is not yet clear how much of the forest area has been affected, the official said.

The site of the fire is 100 km from Yulong Snow Mountain, a famous scenic spot.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.