Three major forest fires that raged in north and northeast China for some 10 days have been extinguished despite unfavorable weather conditions, the state fire-fighting headquarters announced Friday.

More than 33,000 police and firemen have participated in the campaign since May 21 when lightning strikes ignited the first blaze in Galashan area in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, according to the front-line fire-fighting headquarters under the State Council.

The fire was put out on Wednesday afternoon.

The other two fierce blazes, also triggered by lightning strikes and ravaging the Kanduhe forest in Heilongjiang and the Mianduhe forest in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, were quenched on Thursday and Friday.

The areas of burnt forest are being investigated.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2006)