Firefighters battle Beidahe forest inferno

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2017-05-04

Fires in Beidahe forest had spread across land measuring 10,000 hectares by 1:50 pm on May 3.

Thousands of firefighters and forest rangers are still battling to control the blaze at the site.

Firefighting crews utilized multiple tools at their disposal including pneumatic extinguishers, water pumps, and flame-inhibiting chemicals to fight the fires.

On the afternoon of May 3, firefighters conducted artificially rainfall for four times, greatly aiding the firefighting effort.

Raging flames were still present in the forest, requiring further efforts to tackle the blaze, according to the forest authorities.

It’s estimated that the fire was started accidently by a stoker at Amuzhusu service station of Bilahe forestry department, after the individual dumped burning residue outside.

The suspect was detained by local police, and the case specifics are still under investigation.

Firefighters battle the blaze at Beidahe forest in the Greater Hinggan Mountains, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on May 4. [Photo/Xinhua]