ULAN BATOR, May 13 (Xinhua)-- A forest fire has devastated at least 7,300 hectares of land in the eastern Mongolian province of Khentii, according to the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday.

The forest fire, which erupted in Norovlin Soum (administrative subdivision), was fully extinguished by Tuesday afternoon, the NEMA reported.

According to experts, most of the forest and steppe fires are caused by human negligence, careless handling of fire and burning of grass in the spring.

In view of this, the NEMA has warned residents of Ulan Bator and 21 Mongolian provinces not to make bonfires or throw cigarette butts on the ground in dry weather

Since the beginning of spring in Mongolia, a total of 87 forest and steppe fires were reported across Mongolia, devastating 748,082 hectares of forest and grassland. ■