• Flames rise as light from the setting sun is filtered through smoke during a forest wildfire, near Gonfaron, southern France, this week. Thousands of people, including tourists in campsites, have escaped as the wildfire raged near the plush resort of Saint-Tropez.
    Flames rise as light from the setting sun is filtered through smoke during a forest wildfire, near Gonfaron, southern France, this week. Thousands of people, including tourists in campsites, have escaped as the wildfire raged near the plush resort of Saint-Tropez.
  • French President Emmanuel Macron visits the fire and rescue headquarters in Le Luc, near Saint-Tropez.
    French President Emmanuel Macron visits the fire and rescue headquarters in Le Luc, near Saint-Tropez.
  • People rest in a gym in Bormes-les-Mimosas after their campsite was evacuated with the flames closing in.
    People rest in a gym in Bormes-les-Mimosas after their campsite was evacuated with the flames closing in.
  • A firefighting plane drops fire retardant on to a smoking forest in the hillside near Grimaud.
    A firefighting plane drops fire retardant on to a smoking forest in the hillside near Grimaud.
  • French firefighters take a rest while attempting to douse forest wildfires around Cannet des Maures.
    French firefighters take a rest while attempting to douse forest wildfires around Cannet des Maures.
  • A firefighter tackles flames near Toulon. Hundreds of firefighters battled a wildfire raging through forests inland from the French Riviera.
    A firefighter tackles flames near Toulon. Hundreds of firefighters battled a wildfire raging through forests inland from the French Riviera.
  • An aircraft flies off after being filled with water to help with efforts in extinguishing a major fire that broke out in the Var region, at the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
    An aircraft flies off after being filled with water to help with efforts in extinguishing a major fire that broke out in the Var region, at the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
  • France is the latest Mediterranean country to be ravaged by wildfire, after devastating blazes swept through parts of Algeria, Turkey, Greece and Italy, among others.
    France is the latest Mediterranean country to be ravaged by wildfire, after devastating blazes swept through parts of Algeria, Turkey, Greece and Italy, among others.
  • An aerial view of smoke rising from the wildfires in southern France.
    An aerial view of smoke rising from the wildfires in southern France.
  • A French firefighter attempts to extinguish flames that have reduced forest to scrubland.
    A French firefighter attempts to extinguish flames that have reduced forest to scrubland.
  • About 750 firefighters and water-dropping aircraft were battling the blaze in difficult conditions, with high temperatures and strong winds sweeping the Var region.
    About 750 firefighters and water-dropping aircraft were battling the blaze in difficult conditions, with high temperatures and strong winds sweeping the Var region.
  • A wildfire burning near Toulon.
    A wildfire burning near Toulon.

World

UK

One person killed as French wildfire rages out of control

Roads closed and access to forests blocked as firefighters tackle inferno

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

August 18, 2021

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One person has been killed as a wildfire rages out of control in southern France forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

More than 1,100 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze in the Var region of the French Riviera.

Wildfires have swept across the Mediterranean region in recent weeks, leaving areas of Greece, Turkey, Italy, Algeria and Spain in smouldering ruin.

The fire “had not spread” overnight into Wednesday but “that does not mean it is under control”, Var fire service spokesman Franck Graciano said.

“We will carry out the same basic work as yesterday by dropping water on the critical places."

Some roads are closed and access to forests is blocked as firefighters tackle the inferno, fuelled by powerful seasonal winds coming off the Mediterranean.

More than 7,000 people were helped to leave their homes and campsites to sleep in temporary shelter after the fire started about 40 kilometres inland from the coastal resort of Saint-Tropez on Monday.

People rest in a gymnasium in Bormes-les-Mimosas after their campsite was evacuated. AP
People rest in a gymnasium in Bormes-les-Mimosas after their campsite was evacuated. AP

“Half of the Plain des Maures nature reserve has been devastated,” said Concha Agero, deputy director of the French Office of Biodiversity.

Planes and helicopters are dumping water on to the blaze as firefighters try to bring the wildfire, covering 7,000 hectares of tinder-dry forest, under control.

“We started smelling the smoke around 7pm, then we saw the flames on the hill,” said Cindy Thinesse, who fled a campsite near Cavalaire.

“We've never seen it spread with such speed, it was three or four times the usual,” said Thomas Dombry, mayor of La Garde-Freinet village.

French officials have not released details about the victim.

Twenty seven people have been injured, including 19 who inhaled toxic fumes, and five members of the fire service.

President Emmanuel Macron visited the area on Tuesday evening. “The coming hours will be absolutely decisive,” he said.

Fire risk high

Residents survey the burnt remains of homes destroyed by fire near Grimaud. AFP
Residents survey the burnt remains of homes destroyed by fire near Grimaud. AFP

The fire risk remains high for Wednesday because of hot, dry weather and high temperatures that have reached 40°C in recent days.

While the area is known for its sunny, hot summers, scientists say there is little doubt that climate change is driving extreme events such as heatwaves, drought and wildfires.

In Greece, wildfires sparked evacuation alerts on Monday, only days after flames nearby were brought under control.

In Turkey, eight people were killed when a Russian firefighting aircraft helping to tackle the flames crashed on Saturday.

Fires in Spain's central Avila province forced hundreds of people to flee their homes on Sunday.

Updated: August 18, 2021, 12:21 PM