The State Headquarters for Forest Fire Control on Wednesday ordered forest fire prevention measures to be stepped up in northeast China and Inner Mongolia, which are facing the highest spring fire risk in 60 years.

Precipitation in northeast China and Inner Mongolia was more than 30 percent less than the annual average, with temperatures 1 to 6 degrees centigrade higher, said headquarters chief Jia Zhibang.

Since March 15, Inner Mongolia and the northeast provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang had seen 16 to 24 days with forest fire risks at or above "Level Four", which required banning any fire use in forests, said Jia.

Warm weather and little rainfall in the coming days would worsen the situation, he said.

He urged forest fire officials at all levels to check and remove hidden dangers thoroughly and tighten control over fire use in open country, especially during the May Day holiday when more tourists would enter forests.

Most of north China will see temperatures higher than average in the next 30 days, most obviously felt in the eastern part of northeast China and Inner Mongolia, according to weather forecast.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2008)