Forest fire in Yunnan put out after raging 3 days
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A mountain forest fire that had been raging three days in southwest China's Yunnan Province was put out Wednesday, local authorities said.
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More than 4,900 firemen, soldiers and villagers had been mobilized and excavators, bulldozers, pumps and helicopters were used to fight against the fire that started at about 2:09 p.m. Sunday in the forest on the Mt. Yangmei in the Yi Autonomous County of Shilin, said Gao Bin, of the Yunnan Forest Police Corps.
An initial investigation shows that the fire spread up to 10 km and burnt 92 hectares of forest. It also forced the evacuation of about 3,400 villagers.
An initial investigation showed the fire was started when a farmer tried to burn out weed in his orchard. Police have detained the farmer surnamed Luo for further questioning.
"Currently, more than 1,600 people are clearing the scene to guard against new flames," Gao said.
Another fire, spread from neighboring Myanmar Tuesday to Tengchong County of Baoshan City, had also been extinguished as of 4:10 p.m. Wednesday thanks to more than 1,500 people's efforts, according to the fire control office of Baoshan.
More than 300 people are clearing some 58 hectares of burnt forest there.
