Fires Roar Through South Of France
by Kelly Harold /Yesterday sudden wind-driven fires struck the Riviera region of southern France and the island of Corsica.
The fires first broke out Monday and left eight firefighters and 15 police officers injured. There have been no reports of injuries among residents or tourists.
Nearly 4,000 hectares (9880 acres) of vegetation have been destroyed, according to French authorities, along with 800 hectares (almost 2,000 acres) around the Var area of Provence and two villas a dozen kilometers (7 miles) west of Saint-Tropez. A fire in the Luberon region was contained yesterday.
The Var prefecture said about 100 people were evacuated in Ramatuelle.
The French civil security authority called the European Union for help and to provide two Canadair planes to extinguish the wildfire.
French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb arrived in Corsica yesterday evening to meet with emergency services.