Rescuers Sunday found the bodies of 12 people who disappeared while helping to put out a forest fire in southwest China's Yunnan Province, said the provincial fire department.

Wan Yong, deputy commander of the Yunnan Forest Fire Headquarters, said the dead were all villagers from Cuiyu Township, Lijiang City, who helped fight the fires after it began at 1:10 p.m. Saturday.

They were reported missing at 8:32 a.m. Sunday when the fire was put out, and their bodies were found about five hours later, Wan said.

They were probably inexperienced in fighting fires, and the blaze was fanned by strong winds.

Lijiang city authorities are investigating the deaths.