Hundreds battle wild fires across southern France

Hundreds of firefighters were battling blazes across southern France on Monday, with one inferno spreading across 900 hectares of forest and threatening homes on the island of Corsica, emergency services said.

Residents were evacuated from homes at the edge of the town of Biguglia, on the island’s northeastern coast.

“The fire is very fierce and heading to urban areas of Biguglia,” lieutenant-colonel Michel Bernier, of France’s civil defence forces, told AFP.

The blaze engulfed a sawmill and burned 10 vehicles.

“We are awaiting reinforcements,” said regional deputy fire chief Jean-Jacques Peraldi, adding that around 150 people were battling the blaze aided by more than a dozen fire engines.

Local official Gerard Gavory said that three firefighting planes were also involved, and “have been surveying the area to make sure no homes are effected.”

Source: Hundreds battle wild fires across southern France | SBS News