Beijing, April 19 (IANS) More than 1,000 people were Monday evacuated after a raging fire fuelled by strong winds threatened to engulf two villages in China's eastern Shandong province, Xinhua reported.

The fire broke out in Jinan around 9 a.m. and is moving toward the neighbouring Mount Tai scenic spot, said Zhao Dekui, an official of the provincial forestry department.

About 1,000 people in two villages near the blaze have been evacuated. A buffer zone has also been created to prevent the fire from spreading toward Mount Tai, Zhao said.

There was no report of casualty so far.

More than 5,000 firefighters, police personnel, soldiers and helicopters were mobilized to battle the fire. It was not immediately known if the fire was brought under control.

Shandong has been prone to mountain fires because of dry weather and strong winds.

Mount Tai, one of China's five sacred mountains, holds great historical and cultural significance. Its peak is about 1,500 meters above the sea level.