Forest fires in southern France

HUNDREDS of firefighters battled blazes in two areas of southern France yesterday that forced the evacuation of campsites and temporarily cut electricity in 50,000 homes, fire officials said.

Strong winds fuelled the fires, which burned through forested areas close to the towns of Hyeres, in the Var region of southern France, and Manosque, further to the north in the foothills of the Alps.

Authorities in the Var were forced to cut high-tension lines that affected homes in Hyeres and two nearby towns, as some 300 firefighters battled blazes that had burned through 125 acres of forest, fire officials said.