Fires have destroyed almost one and a half thousand hectares of forest and woodlands in the south of France and the island of Corsica.<br /><br />In the town of Ramatuelle, about 10 kilometres from the popular seaside resort of Saint-Tropez, the flames spread more than 200 hectares in the first hour due to strong winds.<br /><br />Authorities say the fire broke out near Olmeta-di-Tuda and quickly spread to over 700 hectares endangering homes in Biguglia and Furiani. <br /><br />The biggest fire was in the village of Bastidonne, in the Vaucluse region, where fires, intensified by strong winds, consumed some 600 hectares of forest.<br /><br />A number of fires in southern France are still active, and the fire department says its struggling to fight so many at once.<br />
