KUNMING, Jan. 7 -- Firefighters have controlled a forest fire that broke out on Monday in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities said on Tuesday.

As of 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, over 1,200 locals and firefighters had started to clear the affected area of forest near Xinjian Village, Jinjiang Township of Shangri-La County, said the county's publicity department.

The forest fire had engulfed an area of eight hectares on the steep mountain, which is about 180 km away from Shangri-La County.

No casualties have been reported in the fire so far. The area is not a tourist site.

Local police are investigating the cause of the blaze.