KUNMING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Local authorities in southwest China's Yunnan Province said Wednesday that arson was suspected in a forest fire that swept through 54 hectares of land in six days.
The government of Yulong Naxi Autonomous County said police had detained one suspect, and the open fire was put out around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday.
A total of 878 people and two helicopters responded to the blaze that erupted on Friday night in a collectively-owned forest in the county's Fengke Town, officials said.
No casualties have been reported.
Meteorological authorities have warned of increased risks of forest fire in Yunnan, which has seen a worsening drought since spring.
Earlier this month, more than 2,500 people and four helicopters were sent to put out a forest fire that burned an area of 86 hectares in the city of Anning.
