More than 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of land have burned in multiple wildfires across southern France, as hundreds of firefighters continued battling the blazes on Thursday amid strong winds and dry conditions.
The largest fire, which broke out in the commune of Pouzols-Minervois in the Herault department before spreading into neighbouring Aude, has scorched more than 800 hectares, French broadcaster BFMTV reported.
The blaze was brought under control on Thursday morning, but firefighters warned that active hotspots remained due to persistent winds.
Around 350 residents were evacuated as a precaution. Authorities said no homes had been damaged, although some vineyards were partially destroyed.
Two other major wildfires broke out north of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhone department.
A fire in Rognac was contained overnight after burning about 50 hectares. Five homes were evacuated, while two warehouses, a public works company building, several vehicles and an outbuilding were damaged. No injuries were reported.
Nearby, firefighters continued to battle a blaze in Lancon-Provence, where around 200 hectares have burned.
Regional rail services suspended
The fires also disrupted transport, with regional TER rail services between Marseille and Miramas suspended on Thursday morning after flames approached railway tracks.
Elsewhere, a wildfire in Frejus in the Var department was contained late on Wednesday after burning through vegetation and prompting the evacuation of around 2,200 people from six campsites.
French authorities placed six Mediterranean departments on the highest red alert for a "very high" wildfire risk on Thursday.
Firefighters' spokesperson Eric Brocardi warned that wildfires are occurring increasingly earlier in the year.
"It's a reality, it's a certainty. Today we see it – it's an extremely complicated period for firefighters," he told RTL, noting that the fires were erupting before the peak summer holiday season, making it more difficult to mobilise volunteer firefighters.
Strong Mistral and Tramontane winds, with gusts of up to 90 kilometres (56 miles) per hour in parts of southern France, continued to hamper firefighting efforts.
