Premier Li Keqiang called for increased efforts to enhance fire prevention and control to avoid major forest and grassland fires.

Premier Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a written instruction to a national videophone conference on Sept 6.

Fire prevention in forests and grassland should be strengthened as most regions across the country enter fall and winter, said the instruction.

Increased efforts should be made in the construction of fire-prevention and extinguishment institutions and teams, while work on education, fire-source control, hidden-danger management and the improvement of fire facilities should also be prioritized, according to the instruction.

Fire monitoring and warning and emergency rescue systems should also be reinforced, it said.

State Councilor Wang Yong, also head of the national headquarters of forest and grassland fire prevention and control, attend the conference and delivered a speech.

Wang called for work on avoiding major forest and grassland fires and for a safe and stable environment for the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the country.

He said it is a great responsibility to deal with forests and grassland fire prevention and control in fall and winter and any slackness should not be tolerated.

Relevant departments at all levels should improve their fire prevention and control systems, carry out special supervision work and fight all illegality, said the state councilor.