A series of forest fires hit six provinces in southern China over the past days, killing at least three and injuring two, reported Chinese state news agency China News Service (CNS) on Friday.

Fires have gutted at least 250 hectares of forest in Hunan, Fujian, Hubei, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan since February 11, CNS reported.

In some cases in Hunan, Sichuan, and Hubei, the fires were believed to have been caused by farmers clearing their land by burning stalks of old crops and weeds, according to CNS.

The cause of the fire in Fujian was still under investigation, and the provincial government had on Friday banned open burning until March 13. It also ruled that any use of fire for agricultural purposes must first obtain approval from local fire prevention authorities.

Earlier on February 11, State Forestry Administration vice-director Du Yongsheng had told a news conference that forest fire prevention became increasingly tough with the on-going drought afflicting many parts of China.

He had also revealed that in January alone, 651 forest fire incidents were recorded across the country, damaging some 2005 hectares of forest--34.7% more than the same period last year.