This photo taken with a mobile phone on March 16, 2024 shows a forest fire in Yajiang county, southwest China's Sichuan province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING/CHENGDU - A teleconference on forest and grassland fire prevention and control was held on Sunday after a forest blaze broke out in southwest China's Sichuan province on Friday.

At the conference, relevant authorities made further instructions on forestalling and extinguishing forest and grassland fires, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

So far, no casualties have been reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation

Noting the severe and complicated situation regarding forest and grassland fire prevention and control in China, the ministry demanded action to strictly forbid illegal use of fire in the wild, eliminate hidden dangers, scientifically carry out fire fighting, and avoid casualties.

A total of 3,396 residents had been evacuated due to safety concerns as of 8 pm Sunday after the fire in Sichuan. No casualties have been reported so far, and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation. 

As of 2 am Sunday, 930 individuals had already been dispatched to combat the forest fire, with an additional 775 rushing to the site, local authorities said.

The fire erupted in Baizi village, in Yajiang county of Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Garze, at around 5 pm on Friday. Due to sudden increases in wind speed, it rapidly spread to other areas, said the headquarters of forest and grassland fire prevention and control in Garze.

Eight helicopters had been deployed to put out the blaze.

On Sunday morning, several local residents told Xinhua that the fire was not visible from the county seat and that water, electricity, and communication services had remained unaffected.

So far, no casualties have been reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.