SHIJIAZHUANG, April 7 -- Over 1,500 people have rushed to deal with a forest fire in Fuping County of north China's Hebei Province, said the county government on Monday.

The fire broke out at 10:48 a.m. on Sunday. The county government has set up rescue headquarters and sent professional fire crews with local residents to the site, it said.

As of Monday morning, there were three major fire sites, including two extinguished and one under control.

Firefighters are clearing the sites and laying down firebreaks to prevent a resurgence of the blaze.

An investigation into the cause of the forest fire is under way.