Firefighters work to extinguish a forest fire in Yajiang, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on March 17, 2024. Photo: IC

Official rescue teams have arrived at the scenes to guide firefighting efforts after a number of forest fires broke out in Southwest China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) said, adding that safety requirements for firefighting should be strictly implemented to prevent casualties, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday.

Three people who fought the fire died and another one got injured in the forest fire on Saturday in Lincang city in Yunnan Province, according to local authorities. 

The MEM emphasized that the situation regarding forest and grassland fire prevention and control in China is severe and complicated. The ministry demanded action to strictly forbid illegal use of fire in the wild, eliminate hidden dangers, scientifically carry out firefighting, and avoid casualties.

A forest fire first broke out in Yajiang county in Sichuan Province on Friday, with no casualties reported, according to local authorities. Forest fires also broke out in Wenshan city in Yunnan Province, with one person losing their life.

According to CCTV, the forest fire in Lincang city has been fully extinguished and the firefighting has been transferred to the stage of cleaning and guarding. 

Although Yajiang's forest fire spreads to form three fire fields from south to north, the first field was extinguished and transferred to the stage of clearing smoke spots and fallen wood. The other two fire fields were also fought smoothly according to the established plan, CCTV reported on Monday.

A total of 3,396 residents had been evacuated due to safety concerns as of 8 pm Sunday after the fire in Sichuan, according to local authorities. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

A teleconference on forest and grassland fire prevention and control was also held on Sunday after a forest blaze broke out in Sichuan Province on Friday, according to MEM. Relevant authorities have made further instructions on forestalling and extinguishing forest and grassland fires.

Global Times