Ministry warns of rise in fire-risk areas

China faces a "severe and complex" situation in forest and grassland fire prevention and control this spring due to generally higher temperatures and lower precipitation, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Friday, which marked the International Day of Forests.

This assessment was reached by the national headquarters of forest and grassland fire prevention and control, said Shen Zhanli, the ministry's spokeswoman, at a news conference.

She emphasized that drought conditions might persist and expand in some regions, leading to an increase in high fire-risk areas.