URUMQI - No casualties have been reported as a forest fire rages near China's northwestern border region in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Wednesday, local authorities said.

The blaze broke out at about 12:30 pm Tuesday in a virgin forest around the upper reaches of the Sumu River, about 36 km from the town of Hemu, Burqin County in Altay prefecture.

The site of the fire was initially determined to be at 48.47 degrees north latitude and 87.35 degrees east longitude, which is near China's borders with Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan, according to the forest protection and fire prevention office of Altay prefecture.

More than 240 people have been mobilized to fight the fire, according to local government authorities.

Firefighters from Altay prefecture are also ready to serve as reinforcements in extinguishing the fire.

So far, no casualties or farm animal losses have been reported, local authorities said.