Forest fire in North China brought under control

HOHHOT -- A forest fire that broke out Wednesday in China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has been brought under control thanks to a team of 8,000 fire fighters, authorities said Saturday.

As of 4:30 am Saturday, the fire had been contained and a clean-up was underway, said the local fire authority.

The fire broke out Wednesday in a forest in Chenbaerhu banner, Hulunbuir city, and had spread across some 8,400 hectares as of Saturday morning.

More than 8,000 people and seven aircraft were mobilized to extinguish the fire.

This spring, temperatures in Inner Mongolia are higher than average,increasing the risk of fires.