Photos| Containing a fire that devoured a vast area in southern France

Fire crews took control of A fire swept through forested hills in southern France, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes, and destroyed a wide area, according to what the fire brigade announced on Wednesday.

Fire spokesman Eric Gruen told reporters about the fire that broke out the previous day in the French province of Var. "Currently, the fire is contained, meaning it is not spreading significantly".

He added "However, there are still hotspots and flames in several locations, so we are being extremely cautious this morning.".

It was reported earlier about the progress of A huge fire broke out on Tuesday in southeastern France "Very quickly" On a mountain in the Provence region, after it destroyed more than 1,700 hectares and required the evacuation of about 400 people.

Simon Baber, governor of the Var province, said that "The fireextended down Mount Gros-Pission very quickly, something that was not expected given the climatic conditions and the decreasing intensity of the winds.".

The province called for action "Additional evacuations of residents" In three towns threatened by fire, after 300 to 400 people were secured and sheltered.

Local authorities indicated that the fire deprived more than 2,300 homes in the area of ​​electricity supply.

Baber confirmed in a press conference that air reinforcements would focus on "Re-establish barriers of fire-retardant materials to prevent its advance"

In this forested area located deep in the countryside of Provence, the fire broke out in a field, according to rescue teams. In the vicinity of the town of Cotignac, an Agence France-Presse videographer saw a huge cloud of smoke rising behind the peaks of one of the burning mountain masses.

In southwestern France, two firefighters were killed while participating in extinguishing a fire near Bordeaux, according to what Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced on Tuesday.

Along the Mediterranean basin region in France, the authorities are redoubling their calls for caution due to dry and hot winds that are expected to intensify. At the end of the week, in addition to record temperatures and dry vegetation.