Firfighers preparing for the rescue operation at the fire site in the city of Nyingchi, a picture posted on the Weibo account of the Xizang forest fire department

The forest fire that broke out in Zayu county under the city of Nyingchi in Southwest China's Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region is under control, and more rescue operation is underway, a source close to the fire rescue confirmed with the Global Times on Thursday.

The fire broke out at 12:50 am on Wednesday and the total area of the fire was being calculated.

The fire site is at altitude of 2,400 to 3,500 meters, with a slope of 60 to 70 degrees, and the site is mainly planted with firs, according to the department of emergency management of Xizang autonomous region. There are no gas stations or other flammable venues in the nearby area of the fire.

There are two villages within a 3 kilometer-radius of the fire, which are separated by farmland. At a village around 1 kilometer from the fire site, 10 families including 49 residents have been transferred safely, the source confirmed with the Global Times. In case of emergency, other residents will be transferred. 

Chayu county authorities in Nyingchi have set up a field headquarters and dispatched a total of 360 personnel and 30 vehicles for rescue operations purposes. They were separated into two groups to dig out two quarantine belts at the site approximately 12 kilometers in length and 25 meters in width, according to information posted via the official Weibo account of the Xizang forest fire department on Thursday.

Over 220 firefighters from Nyingchi departed for the fire site on Wednesday afternoon. More rescue personnel are being prepared to offer further support and the meteorological department has prepared for artificial precipitation.

This is a developing story.