Thousands forced to flee Riviera ahead of forest fires

MORE than 10,000 people — many of them foreign tourists — were evacuated from six camping grounds on the French Riviera as an intense forest fire driven by high winds advanced on their tents and caravans.

Emergency services said it appeared the fire had started in three different locations around the village of Puget sur Argens, near the chic coastal town of Saint Raphael, and was raging through dry woodland.

More than 400 firefighters, backed by dozens of vehicles and 11 aircraft, were battling the flames, trying to stop them before they spread to the many homes built in the forested area.