Almost 1,000 firefighters battle massive fire in south-east France

Hundred of firefighters backed by water-dropping planes have been battling a large forest fire in south-east France that has forced the evacuation of nearby villages.

Thirteen firefighters have been injured in Bordezac, the village where the fire started.

The weather — drought, heat and strong winds — is complicating efforts to contain the blaze in the Gard region but its fire service said prospects were “more favourable” on Friday.

Other smaller fires have been extinguished.

The service said more than 1,500 acres have burned so far.

Laurent Joseph, a top official in the neighbouring Bouches-du-Rhone region, told BFM TV that authorities expect to deal with the fire “for several days”.

The fire threatens the Cevennes, a mountainous region partially protected as a Unesco World Heritage site that crosses a large section of south-east France.

France’s national meteorological service put several neighbouring areas on red alert on Friday for fire risks, while its Environment Ministry warned citizens in the area to pay careful attention to fire risks.