France tackles fierce forest fires on Riviera and in Corsica

Unusually hot, dry and windy weather in south-east France has contributed to the spread of forest fires across the region.

The island of Corsica, the town of Carros, close to Nice, and Saint-Tropez were among the areas badly hit on Monday.

Hundreds of homes were evacuated as a precaution.

"It's a very dangerous day," Michel Bernier, of France's civil defence forces, told AFP news agency.

"And the fight is going to be very, very long tonight," he added as firefighters worked into Tuesday.

A firefighter at work in Carros

The Préalpes d'Azur regional nature park suffered damage

Biguglia, on Corsica's north-eastern coast, was badly hit

Smoke and flames rose above Biguglia's houses

(BBC)