A fire engulfed mountain forests in Yemin county of Yunnan province Sunday. So far the fire is under control and residents of nearby areas don't need to evacuate.

A soldier quenches forest fire in Anning, a county-level city on the outskirts of Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 19, 2012. [Xinhua]

The fire has covered an area of one thousand acres. A helicopter and 2,090 people have been dispatched to help extinguish the blaze. Although progress has been difficult due to windy and dry conditions, it is expected that the fire can be stamped out this afternoon by 4 o'clock.