Mountains reopen after fire threat passes

Local authorities in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality have reopened several mountains to the public as lower temperatures reduce the risk of forest fire.

On Aug 16, the local forest fire prevention headquarters closed Gele Mountain and Tieshanping forest park, to non-local residents and vehicles as a precaution due to severe fire danger.

The fire prevention authority reopened the two mountains on Tuesday as rainy weather cooled the temperature and lowered the fire threat, the Chongqing Evening News reported.

The checkpoints for private vehicles on roads leading up the Gele Mountain have been closed and non-local residents are allowed access to the mountains.

However, the fire prevention authority warned they may have to close the two mountains again this Friday when the hot weather is expected to return.

The local meteorological bureau declared an orange alert - the second highest level in China's four-color heat warning system - for on Sunday in 20 of the municipality's counties and districts. The forest fire alert was raised from the four to five, the highest level possible, in some urban and suburban districts, on Aug 14.

Contact the writer at xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn