Hundreds evacuated as wildfires threaten homes

Hundreds of people were evacuated overnight as a series of wildfires, threatened properties in southeast France and on the island of Corsica.

The fires are being whipped up by a strong Mistral wind, which developed on Monday and is expected to continue until Thursday.

About 200 homes were evacuated in Olmeta-Biguglia, near Bastia, as a blaze encroached on the town. The prefecture of Haute-Corse has said that more than 1,500 hectares of land has been destroyed and several roads have been cut off - but although several hundred more properties suffered a blackout overnight, no casualties have been reported and the fire is now said to be under control.

More evacuations took place as a wildfire that started at the end of the day quickly travelled 200 hectares and threatened seaside properties in La Croix-Valmer, near Saint-Tropez. Four firefighters were injured battling the blaze, including one who was taken to hospital in Marseille for treatment to burns. Three firetrucks and two homes were also damaged.

Meanwhile, Canadair planes, firefighting helicopters and airborne trackers have been helping more than 200 firefighters on the ground battle a blaze in a hard-to-reach forest area, near Artigues, Var.

A blaze that destroyed 90 hectares of land near Carros, north of Nice, destroyed a house and several vehicles before it was brought under control, France Bleu Azur reports.

Meanwhile, in southern Vaucluse, a fire that started near the village of Bastidonne, 800 hectares of forest in the Lubéron massif were destroyed before the 450 firefighters mobilised to fight the fire could slow the flames' progress, the prefecture said. A number of residents in the village of Mirabeau and a neighbouring hamlet were evacuated for their own safety.

The A51, between Aix-en-Provence and Manosque - which was closed overnight due to the blaze - has reopened in both directions this morning, Radio France said.

Grégory Allione, the director of the Service départemental d'incendie et de secours (SDIS) in the Bouches-du-Rhône urged residents and visitors to the area to exercise care. He said: "People must realise that in Mediterranean regions, in Provence, in Corsica, one must have a civic attitude: do not start a campfire, do not smoke, do not barbecue, or carry out work, in the forests.

"If people respect this advice, we will have fewer fires."

Authorities also offered the following advice in case anyone finds themselves caught out by a wildfire.

• Go inside your house immediately
• Close and soak doors and windows. Block any openings and gaps with wet cloths
• Protect your property. Bring any gas bottles and other combustible materials inside
• Do not use the telephone unless absolutely necessary
• Breathe through a mask or wet cloth if the air fills with smoke and ash
• If you are in your car, do not get out if you encounter a fire
• Local authorities will offer regular updates and advice via the radio and TV, as well as their official websites and social media outlets
• Do not leave the house to collect children from leisure activities or school. They will be cared for by staff and local authorities
• Ensure you have a bag of clothes and toiletries in case you need to be evacuated - but do not leave your home unless instructed to do so