Forest fires put out in Inner Mongolia

HOHHOT -- A total of 21 forest fires that broke out recently in the Greater Khingan Range in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region have been put out, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The forest fires were caused by lightning strikes on Sunday and Monday in the northern parts of the Greater Khingan Range, according to the local forest fire control headquarters.

Over 2,900 people, 208 large vehicles and machinery, and eight aircraft had been sent to extinguish the fires.

The Greater Khingan Range is China's largest state-owned forest farm in terms of area, dotted with forests, grasslands, and wetlands. It serves as an important ecological barrier in northern China.