Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has ordered stepping up efforts to
prevent forest fires amid global warming.
Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu also demanded further improving forest
fire prevention measures and fire fighting capabilities.
At a national conference on preventing forest fires this autumn
and winter, held on Sunday and Monday, experts said that most areas
in China would experience high temperature and not much rain this
autumn and winter, which could make the woods more vulnerable to
fire risks.
Meanwhile, the amount of combustibles in the woods keeps rising
as the country's forests grow steadily in recent years, adding to
the risks of forest fires.
Average temperature in the first seven months in China was 1.4
degrees centigrade higher than normal years and the highest on
record, said Lei Jiafu, vice director of the State Forestry
Administration.
He said the administration faces a serious scenario in forest
fire prevention this autumn and winter.
"The tasks are arduous," he said.
The conference asked local forest fire prevention sectors to
reinforce their efforts in eliminating possible risks and keep
alert to any outbreak. It also urged immediate action in case of
fire outbreaks.
A rehearsal to stamp out a large-scale forest fire was staged on
the sidelines of the conference.
(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2007)
