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The forest fires raging in northeast China's Daxing'an Mountains have been brought under control, thanks to efforts by local residents. No casualties have been reported, a government official said Sunday.
Experts say the eruption of the recent fires is attributable to the persistent drought in the area over the past four years and higher temperature this spring.
In 2002, for example, one part of the region received only 160 mm of precipitation, the lowest in 50 years.
The temperature this spring is 1 degree Centigrade higher than the average in the past.
Premier Wen Jiabao, along with Vice-Premiers Huang Ju and Hui Liangyu, has urged local authorities to adopt effective measures to prevent fires and protect people's lives and property.
On March 22, Zhou Shengxian, director of the State Forestry Administration, and Song Fatang, governor of Heilongjiang Province, dispatched official teams to organize and direct local fire fighters.
(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2003)
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