Forestry authorities in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region were monitoring closely the development of high heat spots detected by local meteorologists in area bordering India.

"According to satellite remote-sensing images, there are some high heat spots in part of Nyingchi Prefecture and that could be forest fires," said Benba Cering, an officer with the remote-sensing department of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Meteorological Bureau.

However, there had been no reports of forest fires from relative authorities so far, he said on Wednesday.

Thick clouds in recent days could affect the accuracy of the monitoring results and fires made by farmers before spring planting could also lead to the high heat images, Benba Cering said.

His department had reported to the local forestry administration about the situation and they will keep a close eye on the development of the suspected fires, Benba Cering said.

Some towns and villages in Nyingchi, in the eastern part of Tibet, were shrouded by smoke Tuesday, but it was not serious, according to the weather service bureau. Visibility did not worsen Wednesday.

The prefecture government has asked local authorities to investigate for a possible fire.

Nyingchi is about 400 km from Lhasa, the regional capital.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2009)