Journalism of Courage
Wildfire rages near French Riviera, one dead, 27 injured
1 / 8A wildfire near the French Riviera has killed one person. The blaze remained out of control as it raged through forests Wednesday, according to local authorities. In picture, a water-dumping aircraft dumps water on a wildfire near Le Luc, southern France. (Photo: AP)
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2 / 8At least 27 people, including five firefighters, have suffered smoke inhalation or minor injuries from the blaze, the prefecture of the Var region said in a statement. In picture, firemen use a hose to extinguish a fire near Le Luc. (Photo: AP)
3 / 8More than 7,000 people, evacuated from homes and campgrounds, have slept in temporary shelters, according to the report. In picture, evacuated campers rest in a gymnasium in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France. (Photo: AP)
4 / 8Over 1,100 firefighters, water-dumping planes and helicopters were being deployed Wednesday to battle the fire, which started Monday evening about 40 kilometers (24 miles) inland from the coastal resort of Saint-Tropez. In picture, firefighters prepare to battle a fire near Le Luc. (Photo: AP)
5 / 8Fueled by powerful seasonal winds coming off the Mediterranean Sea, the fire had encompassed 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of forest by Wednesday morning. (Photo: AP)
6 / 8Local authorities closed roads, blocked access to forests and urged caution. Officials warned that the fire risk would remain very high through Wednesday because of hot, dry weather. Temperatures have reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) in recent days. (Photo: AP)
7 / 8Wildfires have swept across the Mediterranean region in recent weeks, leaving areas in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Algeria and Spain in smoldering ruins. While the area is known for its sunny, hot summers, scientists voice little doubt that climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events such as heat waves, droughts and wildfires. (Photo: AP)
8 / 8Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been vacationing in a nearby coastal fortress, visited the fire zone on Tuesday. He praised firefighters for being able to "stabilize" the blaze. (Photo: AP)
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