Fast-moving wildfire in southern France forces hundreds to flee
Local authorities said 2,300 households, mostly in the village of Cotignac, were left without electricity as a result of the fire.
A fast-moving wildfire that erupted in the Var department in southern France on Tuesday has burned more than 2,500 hectares and forced 400 people to flee their homes, local authorities said on Wednesday.
"The situation has been very difficult. Some 1,100 firefighters fought all night," said Commander William Vogl, a spokesperson for the Var firefighters, on RMC radio.
He said weather conditions were expected to become more favourable on Wednesday despite continued high temperatures.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Local authorities said 2,300 households, mostly in the village of Cotignac, were left without electricity as a result of the fire.
Most of the evacuations took place in and around the villages of Pontevès, Cotignac, Sillans-la-Cascade, Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens.
More than 1,100 firefighters were deployed overnight to contain the blaze as emergency services continued efforts to prevent it from spreading further.
Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, and scientists have warned that human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts and wildfires, while also creating conditions for sudden and destructive storms.
