Bush forest fires in a small Tibetan county that started on midday Sunday have not been fully controlled by Thursday after a few days of rescue work.

 

Strong winds, varied and dangerous topography, no water sources within two kilometers, -- all have made the rescue work especially difficult, according to a local rescue team.

 

The fires broke out at 12:50 PM Sunday in bushes of Tingri County in Xigaze, at the foot of Mount Qomolangma, or the Everest.

 

Fire flames were put out on Thursday after two days of fighting, but the gales were strong enough to revive any sparkles in the forests, according to the rescue team.

 

The fires, involving 15 kilometers of forests in length, are about four kilometers away from the virgin forests in a natural reserve around Mount Qomolangma.

 

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006)