Firefighters used chemicals to bring on rain on Thursday in an attempt to control a forest fire in north China's Inner Mongolia? Autonomous Region, said the localfire-fighting headquarters.

The forest fire in Mianduhe area is still raging despite the efforts of of more than 9,800 police and firemen to contain the blaze and it has engulfed an estimated 20,000 hectares of forest.

The fire started at Sangenhe Forest Farm on May 25 and spread to Xirite Banner Forest Farm the same day.

Another fire in Alongshan area in Greater Hinggan Mountains, reported on Wednesday morning, was brought under control by a force of 1,870 firefighters.

Investigations showed that lightning started the fire before itdestroyed 600 hectares of forest.

A third forest fire in Wuma area in northern Greater Hinggan Mountains, reported on Wednesday afternoon, is raging as high winds and thick bushes hinder firefighting efforts.

(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2006)