(Yicai Global) Aug. 22 -- Several forest fires have broken out in Chongqing since Aug. 18 as the large metropolis in southwestern China swelters under the hottest weather in over 60 years.

No casualties have been reported to-date and the wildfires are under control, according to Xinhua News Agency.

More than 5,000 people, including city firefighters, forest firefighters, armed police forces and residents, have taken part in battling the fires. The city's Air Rescue Headquarters dispatched seven helicopters to put out the flames in hard-to-reach areas. They have transported over 1,500 people to safety.

Smoke from a forest fire engulfs Chongqing’s Jieshi town.

A bush fire can be seen crackling in the mountains behind Chongqing.

An onlooker watches as a fierce fire consumes trees near Shentong town.

A helicopter drops gallons of water over a burning forest in Fuling, Chongqing.

Volunteers form a long line to pass buckets of water up a mountain side to extinguish scattered fires and prevent new fires from breaking out.

Editor: Kim Taylor