Nearly 4,000 people battling forest fires in China

HOHHOT -- Nearly 4,000 police and fire fighters are battling forest fires in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, local fire authorities said Sunday.

A fire broke out at around 10 a.m. Saturday in an ancient forest in the northern area of the Greater Hinggan Mountains in the region. Another fire in a national nature reserve was found at around 5 p.m.

Ongoing high temperatures and drought increase the risk of forest fires in the mountains. Local authorities are considering artificial precipitation if necessary, according to the Inner Mongolia Meteorological Bureau.