BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Monday urged local authorities to step up efforts to prevent forest and grassland fires as a severe drought put south China on a high fire alert.

Authorities should beef up the supervision of fire sources, and respond scientifically to emergencies to curb major fires and casualties, and protect the public and forests and grassland, Hui said at a teleconference held by the State Council, or the Cabinet.

A prolonged drought, which started last autumn, has hit southwest, south and parts of north China.

According to the State Forestry Administration (SFA), from November to January, China reported 1,945 forest fires, which damaged 5,112 hectares of forests and killed two people.