Forest fires are laying waste to large areas of southern France.<br /><br /> Fires are spreading in the Herault, Gard and Bouches-du-Rhone departments.<br /> <br /> The worst fires in two decades<br /> <br /><br /> The fires are raging across parts of France’s Mediterranean coast.<br /><br /> The worst in almost two decades are burning around Marseille. <br /><br /> Seven people have been injured, four seriously, and thousands have been evacuated from their homes.<br /> <br /> *How many firefighters are at the scene?<br />*<br /> <br /><br /> Around 2,500.<br /><br /> Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve says they have support from firefighting planes from France and neighbouring Italy.<br /> <br /> Soutien PompiersFR SDIS13 https://t.co/hseAkqIQQk via lemondefr— Anne DuTreize (AnneDutreize) August 10, 2016<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> *What has sparked the fires?<br />*<br /> <br /><br /> The interior minister says it is too early to say if it was a criminal act.<br /><br /> A man is being questioned by police.<br /><br /> The 50-year-old was seen taking pictures of the blaze at Vitrolles, 20 km northwest of Marseille.<br /><br /> High winds, combined with the dry weather conditions, have facilitated the spread of the fires.<br /><br /> Thick smoke is visible across the region.<br /> <br /> *What is the Mistral?<br />*<br /> <br /><br /> The strong, northerly wind known locally as the “Mistral” has contributed to the spread of the fires.<br /><br /> Coming down the Rhone valley to the Mediterranean, it can reach speeds from 40 to 100 km per hour<br /><br /> Read more here<br /> <br /> *Is Marseille at risk?<br />*<br /> <br /><br /> Not yet.<br /><br /> After laying waste to more than 2,000 hectares of parched countryside, the flames have stopped on the northern outskirts of France’s second-biggest city.<br /><br /> Local authorities say the situation is under control, although some fires are still active.<br /> <br /> [#Incendies ] On compte sur votre vigilance et prudence ! Suivez les consignes officielles ! #Marseille #Vitrolles pic.twitter.com/D9BkAtWP8G— Pompiers de France (@PompiersFR) August 10, 2016<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> *Has there been much damage?<br />*<br /> <br />Some.<br /><br /> More than 20 houses burnt down around Vitrolles.<br /><br /> The local newspaper, La Provence, showed pictures of a secondary school in the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau destroyed by the flames.<br /><br /> Only slight damage has been reported at the minerals terminal at the petrochemical complex of Fos-sur-Mer, which includes several refineries and oil depots.<br /><br /> The oil terminal is undamaged.<br /> <br /> *What about Marseille Airport?<br />*<br /> <br /><br /> The situation at the airport is getting back to normal after earlier delays and cancellations.<br /><br /> Traffic is disrupted as some roads leading to the airport are still closed.<br /> <br /> In tweets<br /> <br /> <br /> #incendies : situation hors de contrôle au nord de Marseille (pompiers), 2 habitants blessés https://t.co/sg0Yc92TEq pic.twitter.com/KAioIcIbWt— France Info (franceinfo) August 10, 2016<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Les Français déclarent leur flamme aux #pompiers ! Merci https://t.co/TR2VDWQwJK OuestFrance visactu #incendies pic.twitter.com/D8w5izVJi3— Pompiers de France (PompiersFR) August 11, 2016<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> [Rappel #incendies ⚠] Témoin d'un départ de feu ? Donnez l'alerte à la moindre fumée ! https://t.co/kzdGRIG7aJ pic.twitter.com/oKOAZgsbLS— Gouvernement (@gouvernementFR) August 11, 2016<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> What they are saying<br /> <br />“The drought of the last few months and the strong mistral winds worked like a powder keg. The fires spread at a phenomenal speed, up to 2,500 metres an hour,” – Head of the regional firefighting service Richard Mallie.<br />
