Fires extinguished in Yimuhe forest

Over 1,300 firefighters and forest rangers were organized on May 1 to extinguish fires that spread across the border from Russia to Yimuhe forest, a primeval forest in the northern Greater Hinggan Mountains in Inner Mongolia.

Hundreds of firefighters extinguished fires in over 230 areas. A 2.8-kilometer-long separation belt was dug to prevent reignition.

Forest fires were eventually extinguished after an 18-hour battle by fire crews, according to regional fire authorities.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and firefighters are still patrolling to clean fire-damaged sites to avoid re-ignition.

Strong winds, warm temperatures and dry forest conditions increase the risk of fires, according to local forest rangers.