The Beijing Area Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent more than 1,000 officers and soldiers, two helicopters and more than 3,000 militia to help local firefighters combat a forest fire in north China's Shanxi Province.

The fire was put out by 8:10 PM Tuesday. There have been no reports of any casualties.

The fire reportedly started on Monday afternoon in Hunyuan County, which is located on the northern side of Mount Qianfeng, the highest peak in the Hengshan Mountain range.

Helicopters were used to douse flames that burned on mountain cliffs.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2006)