National observatory warns of forest fire danger in North China

BEIJING - China's national observatory on Monday warned of forest fire risks in parts of north China.

Higher temperatures and lower precipitation in comparison with previous years are likely to bring forest fires to Beijing and the northern provinces of Hebei and Shanxi from Monday to Sunday, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Due to low precipitation and strong winds brought by cold air, some regions in Southwest China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces are also at high risk of forest fire during the week, the NMC said.

The observatory also mentioned grassland in Inner Mongolia, and asked authorities to closely monitor sources of ignition and ensure the safety of forests.