Premier Li Keqiang calls for strict screening of hazards in prevention of forest and grassland fires to get fully prepared against major fires and avoid casualties of firefighters.

Premier Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in a recent instruction.

Preventing and extinguishing fires concern people' lives and property and national ecological security, he noted.

As most regions are entering fire-prevention periods for forests and grasslands in autumn and winter, Premier Li said, local governments and departments at all levels should put people first, coordinate development and security, and further step up their respective responsibilities for the mass prevention of fires.

To get fully prepared for the worst case scenarios, solid work should be done to check for loopholes and release alerts in time with corresponding measures and active moves in removing fire risks, Premier Li said.

He also called for good emergency preparation, optimized command systems, scientific layout of rescue resources, and enhanced drills for effective firefighting and prevention of major fires and casualties.

State Councilor Wang Yong attended a teleconference on forest and grassland fire prevention and control in autumn and winter on Sept 24.

Wang, also head of the national headquarters of forest and grassland fire prevention and control, stressed that all stakeholders should enhance the control of fires at the source, and curb major forest and grassland fires to effectively protect people's lives, their property, and the national ecological security.

Noting the great importance of fire prevention, Wang urged efforts to further improve the fire prevention and control system, identify and fulfill concerned responsibilities, enhance coordination on fire prevention and control, consolidate and promote the successful practices of the special forest and grassland fire prevention and control projects in Sichuan and other places, and establish a system featuring comprehensive prevention, supervision, publicity and security measures.

Close attention must be paid to key areas such as venues of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games and during sensitive periods such as major events and holidays, Wang said.

Wang also stressed speeding up efforts to improve areas of weakness in equipment, supplies and facilities and strengthen capacity for comprehensive rescue and emergency response during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.