Huge forest fire devastates 12 thousand acres in France

French firefighters struggled Tuesday to put out a huge forest fire in the southern tourist region of Var amid strong winds.

Severe heat waves have swept across much of the Mediterranean in recent weeks, with forest fires raging from Spain all the way to Turkey raising questions about global warming and how prepared it is to be.

The French authorities have urged residents to stay away from the fire, which started in a village, about 50 kilometers west of the town of Saint-Tropez in the Riviera region, and also closer to the coast, such as La Croix Valmeyer and Grimaud.

Water-laden planes and 900 firefighters were trying to put out the fire, which started late Monday.

The Var mayor’s office said the fire had so far destroyed 12,350 hectares.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said he would visit the village, adding that any reinforcements required would be sent.