Thousands evacuated as fire sweeps through French forests
By DANIEL COLE and ANGELA CHARLTON
Associated Press
LA GARDE-FREINET, France (AP) — Hundreds of firefighters are battling a wildfire that is racing through forests near the French Riviera. The fire has forced the evacuation of some 6,000 people from homes, campsites and hotels in the popular vacation destination. Two firefighters and 22 citizens have been injured in the blaze that started Monday evening. Fueled by powerful Mediterranean winds, the fire had consumed 12,000 acres of forest by Tuesday morning. Some vacationers were locked down in a holiday center for Air France employees. One evacuee said smoke enveloped his car as he returned to his campsite and he had just enough time to grab his baby daughter’s milk and basic belongings before fleeing. Fierce forest fires have swept across southern Europe and North Africa in recent weeks.
