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The south of France is fighting the flames: A large forest fire has broken out in the Var department
Photo: Frank Muller / picture alliance / dpa / MAXPPP
Thousands of people have been brought to safety in southern France because of a serious forest fire.
The evacuation is a precautionary measure, said the fire brigade in the Var department, which is deployed with around 750 emergency services.
According to the prefecture, twelve campsites were evacuated.
Residents of parts of the cities of Cavalaire and La Croix Valmer were also called on to seek safety.
The fire was near the village of Gonfaron not far from Saint-Tropez. It broke out on Monday and is spreading rapidly because of the wind.
This was preceded by a heat wave and severe drought.
"All my support goes to the firefighters who were mobilized to protect the population that night," wrote Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Twitter that evening.
The weather conditions during the fire in the Var department are unfavorable.
The minister plans to visit the affected region on Tuesday.
According to official figures, around 4,000 hectares of land have already been burned.
Several highways had to be closed.
As early as Monday afternoon, the fire brigade in Marseille reported on Twitter about a fire on a mountain range outside the city, to which around 100 fire fighters with 40 vehicles were deployed.
So far, people have apparently not been in danger in the uninhabited area.
The Mediterranean region has been battling violent forest fires and extreme heat for weeks.
bbr / dpa / AFP / Reuters
