China demands fire prevention after forest blaze

BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- A teleconference on forest and grassland fire prevention and control was held on Sunday after a forest blaze broke out in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Friday.

At the conference, relevant authorities made further instructions on forestalling and extinguishing forest and grassland fires, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

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

A total of 3,396 residents had been evacuated due to safety concerns as of 8 p.m. Sunday after the fire in Sichuan. No casualties have been reported so far, and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.