Authorities confirmed a massive forest fire in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region had finally been extinguished Wednesday, after thousands of firefighters battled the blaze last Friday.
After open flames were put out Friday, firefighters continued to clear smoldering embers to prevent the fire reigniting. As of noon Wednesday, no new fire or smoke had been seen, authorities said.
More than 1,200 firefighters had used helicopters, armored personnel carriers and an all-terrain vehicle to clear the area and put out over 60 smoking hotspots over recent days, according to the local fire authority.
The fire, which was caused by dumped smoldering coal, broke out on May 2 in Bilahe Beidahe Forest in the Greater Hinggan Mountains. It spread across more than 11,500 hectares of forest.
