Cause of forest fire in Sichuan determined

Authorities have determined the cause of a forest fire that started in the Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province last Friday. According to the prefecture's emergency management bureau, the fire was caused by the use of a fire at a construction site. The bureau did not specify which construction site it was.

The forest fire broke out in Yajiang at around 5 pm near Baizi village and spread to a larger area, driven by a sudden increase in wind that began on Saturday.

The fire consisted of three main sections, with the first being extinguished on Monday. As of 6 am on Friday, the third section had no open flames and only sporadic smoke spots. The second section had intermittent fire lines, two large fire points and two smoke points, according to the Garze prefecture forest and grassland prevention and control command.

There is no highway at the site of the Yajiang fire, and the mountain slope is between 70 and 80 degrees. In many cases, firefighters have to carry materials on their backs.

The fire has so far claimed no lives.