MD-83
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
During cruise; FWD CARGO FIRE warning light illuminated. We discharged the fire bottle; accomplished the emergency checklist; and landed enroute at [the nearest suitable airport]. Landing was uneventful. ARFF trucks inspected aircraft while on the runway and detected no hot spots. Fire trucks followed us as we taxied to the gate. Maintenance inspected FWD cargo compartment and found NO indication of fire.
MD83 Captain experiences a cargo fire warning at cruise altitude and complies with QRH procedures.  Flight diverts to a suitable airport where the warning is determined to be false.