Maximum alert in France for fire surge

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Local media reports that up to now some 12,000 people have already been evacuated. The flames have devoured more than 7,000 hectares. At least 800 firefighters and 210 patrols have been flown to the scene to face the fire.

 A dangerous fire in the province of Var, in the south of France, put the country on the highest alert for the "exceptional risk of forest fires".
Some 12,000 people have already been evacuated in southeastern France. The flames have devoured more than 7,000 hectares and put on a state of maximum alert to the authorities, criticized by the lack of means available to fight against the burning fire.

The largest of the fires currently affects the municipality of Bormes-les-Mimosas, in the southern department of Var. A fire that has already burned about 1,300 hectares and has forced to evacuate more than 10,000 people, among them 3,000 campers.

Authorities in the area have banned access to nine national parks by winds that could reach 90 km / h, which could fuel the blaze.

"The danger level of forest fires is very high in two of the six climatic zones," local authorities said.

At least 800 firefighters and 210 patrols have been flown to the scene to face the fire.

According to the latest situation report offered by the prefecture of Var at 17:45 local time, along with the Bormes-les-Mimosas - which is still out of control - there are two other large fires in La Croix Valmer, where the flames have reappeared And have burned about 500 hectares, while in Artigues, since Monday have burned 1,700 hectares of low mountain.

"No measures have been taken," regional president Provence Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Renaud Muselier, of the conservative party, the Republicans, told local media.

France has had to ask for help from other European countries to reinforce its air fleet with two Canadair aircraft, prompting Interior Minister Gerard Collomb to announce that next year six of these aircraft will be bought.

Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is expected to travel to Bormes-les-Mimosas tonight, where he will make a reconnaissance flight on the burned surface and will later meet with both the extinction and rescue teams and people who have had to be Relocated after their evacuation.