Thunder ignited two forest fires Saturday and Sunday in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, but no casualty was reported.

The fires took place at the sections of Da Hinggan Mountain forest district, belonging to Keyihe and Jiwen forestry bureaus respectively.

Over 1,500 fire fighters and policemen have been mobilized to put out the fire.

As of Thursday afternoon, the fire at Keyihe section was totally brought under control, while fire fighting operation was still going on in the Jiwen section, said Li Yehong, an official with Da Hinggan Mountain forestry bureau.

No casualty was reported in the fires.

However, the thick woods and forests in addition to the complicated terrain brought difficulties to the fire fighting work, the official said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2004)