Two new forest fires were reported in north China's Inner Mongolia on Wednesday, said local forestry sources.

A fire caused by lighting strikes was spotted at 11:25 AM on Nannianghe Forest Farm in the country's largest virgin forest of Greater Hinggan Mountains, and 1,870 fire fighters are struggling to contain the blaze.

Another forest fire was spotted at 3:30 PM in the Yimuhe areaof the virgin forest in northern Greater Hinggan Mountains, which has engulfed 3,000 hectares of forests.

Another 2,000 firemen joined the fire-fighting efforts as the forest fire which began last week at Mianduhe areas have spread, said the local fire prevention headquarters.

Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu said Wednesday that more fireman and airplanes were needed to join the efforts to quench the forest fires quickly, while close attention should be given tothe safety of rescuers and local residents.

The forest fire at the Kanduhe Forest Farm in Greater Hinggan Mountains in northeastern province of Heilongjiang has engulfed some 50,000 hectares of forests.

The forest fire in Galashan area of Heihe City near Russia was quenched at 4:20 on Wednesday morning about ten days after lightning started the blaze on May 21.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2006)