A forest fire broke out in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province Thursday, local authorities told Xinhua.

The fire occurred at 11:30 a.m. in Shangganling District, Yichun City, and hundreds of firefighters had been sent to the site, an official of Shangganling Forestry Bureau said.

Initial investigations showed that the fire was triggered by the burning of fallen leaves and branches, which is a routine for the forest services, the official said.

According to the weather forecast, the area will be sunny during the next two days and the temperature will be minus three to ten degrees Celsius.