Nearly 1,000 firefighters backed by water-dropping planes were deployed on Friday to battle a massive blaze in France’s southern Gard region that burned 600 hectares (1,500 acres) overnight, reports The Guardian.
“This fire is far from being done. There are fronts in hard-to-reach areas that we haven’t tackled and that are advancing freely,” said Eric Agrinier, a senior member of the fire service.
“It’s going to be a feat of endurance,” he added later, warning the blaze may not be brought under control until Sunday because of unfavourable weather conditions.
Working into the night after the blaze began late Thursday, firefighters set backfires to protect inhabited areas.
“We burn some parts [of the forest] so when the fire spreads it reaches an already-burned zone and slows down, that makes it easier to stop its advance,” said Jacques Pages, standing in front of a line of flames lighting up the pitch-black forest.
Described by emergency responders as a “mega-fire”, the blaze started near the village of Bordezac and forced evacuations from nearby Bessèges and other settlements on Thursday night.
The local prefect’s office said about 100 people had to be put up in holiday homes and restaurants in the area, which is about 90km (55 miles) north of Montpellier and the Mediterranean coast.
“I’ve been finding rooms for people and all the holiday homes are doing the same,” said Regine Marchand, manager of a restaurant in nearby Aujac, on Thursday night.
“We’ve made them pasta, people left quickly without bringing anything, but they’re keeping their spirits up, there’s a good atmosphere.”
By Friday, people’s homes were no longer in danger, with only a garage and a small hut damaged.