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Greater efforts urged against forest fires in China
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-14 23:06

BEIJING: China's State Forestry Administration on Monday ordered local offices nationwide to stand alert against fire danger during the dry Autumn and Winter seasons.

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Jia Zhibang, director of the forest fire prevention headquarters, said the forestry sector nationwide should make efforts to give anti-fire work a priority and avoid major accidents and casualties.

Forestry departments were urged to enhance monitoring work and fire fighting readiness, and strengthen their capacity to cope with any eventuality.

China has been hit by a lingering drought in more than 10 provinces and regions this year. Experts forecast temperatures in most areas prone to forest fires will remain higher than in previous years.