Fires Rage in Bordeaux

Fires broke out on Friday afternoon and have raged in the Bordeaux region for days. Authorities ordered evacuation of residents in and around the area on Friday night.

Firefighters have battled the blaze as wild fires ravaged forests on the outskirts of Bordeaux over the weekend. It quickly spread across nearly 530 hectares of pine forest, aided by 50km-per-hour winds, and is now under control.

Reported as one of the country's worst fires in five years after fire crews had spent almost two days battling the blaze in pine plantations to the west of the Bordeaux suburb of Pessac. Some 500 firemen and other forces were deployed, including reinforcements from across France. Seven firefighting planes were used to water-bomb the area.

More than 100 homes were evacuated as a precaution. No casualties have been reported.