The massive forest fire that hit Ninan Mountain in the city of Baoshan, Yunnan Province, remains uncontrolled since Saturday, authorities said.

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More than 2,500 people have been sent in an attempt to exterminate the fire, which has now engulfed and decimated 1, 200 mu or 80 hectares of forested area, according to a statement released officials of Baoshan's Longyang District.

The cumulative efforts of the people to control the mountain's raging blaze has led to two helicopters joining in to help. Respondents include firefighters, armed police, and soldiers.

While the sheer strength of the official response is impressive, several things complicate and hinder the effort to extinguish the flames, according to officials.

In addition to the terrain making the whole effort problematic, the gales blowing through the area serve to bring the fire farther and farther faster than it could be put out, while the thickness and lushness of the forest keep providing more fuel to the flames.

Fortunately, the fire has not led to any victims as no casualties have been reported as of yet. Less fortunate is that the actual cause of the fire is yet to be determined at this point in time, but forest fires are quite common in the area, over half of which is blanketed by forest.

Prior to this latest blaze, three fires have already plagued the Yunnan province earlier this month, making this already the fourth to hit the province in as many weeks. That number is expected to increase as the climate gets warmer.