Authorities say blaze brought under control but likely to take days to extinguish amid drought conditions, heat and strong winds
Nearly 1,000 firefighters backed by water-dropping planes have been deployed to battle a massive blaze in France’s southern Gard region that burned 600 hectares and forced the evacuation of residents.
Lt Col Eric Agrinier, a senior member of the fire service, also said on Friday: “This fire is far from being done. There are fronts in hard-to-reach areas that we haven’t tackled and that are advancing freely.”Read more Described by emergency responders as a “mega-fire”, the blaze started near the village of Bordezac and forced evacuations from nearby Bessèges and other settlements on Thursday night.
“We’ve made them pasta, people left quickly without bringing anything, but they’re keeping their spirits up, there’s a good atmosphere.”By Friday, people’s homes were no longer in danger, with only a garage and a small hut damaged.As well as personnel on the ground, two planes have been dumping water since the early morning. On Friday, the air deployment had stretched to 12 firefighting planes and two helicopters.
During an unseasonable heatwave last month, about 600 hectareswere burned in a fire started by shelling on an army artillery training range near the Mediterranean port city Marseille.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Almost 1,000 firefighters tackle forest fire in southern FranceVillages in Gard region evacuated as efforts to contain blaze complicated by drought, heat and strong winds
Read more »
China confirms first meeting with Australian Foreign Minister in almost three yearsThe stalled relationship between Australia and China continues to defrost under the Albanese Government with Foreign Minister Penny Wong set to meet counterpart Wang Yi for the first time in almost three years.
Read more »
'A first step': Penny Wong meets Chinese counterpart in first high-level Australia-China talks in almost three years'We both recognised it is a first step for both our nations. We've got a path to walk and we'll see if it can lead to a better place between the two countries,' Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. auspol
Read more »
Almost 1,000 firefighters tackle forest fire in southern FranceVillages in Gard region evacuated as efforts to contain blaze complicated by drought, heat and strong winds
Read more »
‘All that’s needed is a spark’: why the US may be headed for a summer of mega-fireAn explosive spring season has already burned more land than the 10-year average, with summers only expected to intensify
Read more »
California wildfire forces partial closure of Yosemite national parkWashburn fire is burning near southern portion of the park, Mariposa Grove, home to over 500 mature giant sequoias
Read more »