At least 12,000 people were evacuated overnight after a new wildfire was sparked in southern France, which is already battling massive forest fires, authorities announced Wednesday.
“The evacuations, at least 10,000, followed the progression of the fire. It’s an area that doubles or triples its population in summer,” noted a fire service official of the blaze near Bormes-les-Mimosas before another 2,000 were told to leave their houses.
France asked for Europe’s help Tuesday in fighting wild fires that have consumed swathes of forest in the southeast, one of which is raging near the popular resort of Saint-Tropez.
Over 4,000 firefighters and troops backed by 19 water bombers have been mobilized to put out the flames.
At least 12 firefighters have been injured and 15 police officers affected by smoke inhalation since the fires broke out on Monday, according to the local authorities.
The blazes have burned around 4,000 hectares (15 square miles) of land along the Mediterranean coast, in the mountainous interior and on the island of Corsica — in the middle of the holiday season.
With strong winds and tinder dry conditions creating a dangerous mix, the government asked its European Union partners to send two extra fire-fighting planes — a request immediately fulfilled by Italy.
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Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Carl Osbourn License: CC-BY-SA
Source: AFP
