Update | 800 flee forest fire; two die of heatstroke as China gripped by 40C temperatures

More than 800 people fled to emergency shelters today as a forest fire raged near the coastal city of Weihai in Shandong province.

The fire stretched as long as seven kilometres after breaking out in the woods northwest of downtown at about 3pm yesterday, razing through the Xianguding national park with many tourist attractions.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but heat waves in many parts of China were considered a factor in the conflagration. Shandong hoisted an orange weather alert in the past few days as temperatures in some areas reached 41 degrees Celsius.

More than 2,000 firefighters were mobilised and helicopters were deployed to stem the blaze, which was fanned by strong winds and ate through dry leaves and grass.

The Weihai city government said that by 6.40am today, the fire had been largely controlled, with only a few areas till in flames.

All kindergartens were shut down in Wehai, on the eastern tip of Shandong, as authorities urged children to stay at home.