More than 1,000 people have been mobilized to battle a wildfire in Pingyao County, north China's Shanxi Province, as of 6 p.m. Saturday, local authorities said.

The blaze was first reported around noon on Friday at the border between Qinyuan County and Pingyao County. Firefighting operations remain ongoing and the total area affected by the fire is still being assessed.

Eight firefighting aircraft have been deployed and are continuously working to extinguish the blaze. Eleven fire trucks and 65 firefighters have been dispatched to ensure water supply to the fire zone and to protect nearby villages.

According to rescuers at the scene, strong winds have made the operation particularly challenging.