Forest fires spreading in Inner Mongolia
( 2002-08-08 09:47 ) (8 )

Fires are still spreading with a number of fiery sparks scattered in the northern area of the vast forests in the Greater Hinggan Mountains in northeast China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at press time.

Firefighters are struggling to put out eight fires caused by lightning strikes and have brought one fire under control.

Firefighting teams have tried very hard to extinguish the fires with artificial rainfall but did not succeed because of unfavorable weather conditions.

About 3,600 firefighters, including 1,200 forest policemen and officers were trying to put out the fires Tuesday evening with more being mobilized on Wednesday, according to local sources.

Additional firefighting equipment, such as water guns and water bags, are in urgent need to control the fire, local sources say.

A huge forest fire raged in the Greater Hingganling prefecture in 1987, leading to huge losses and drawing wide attention worldwide.