Firefighters Stabilize Blaze In Bordeaux Wine Country

BORDEAUX, France (AP) -- Firefighters in France's Bordeaux wine country welcomed rainy conditions Monday as they stabilized a blaze that charred pine forests and brush, authorities said.

The fire destroyed 500 hectares (1,235 acres) of forest in the town of Saint-Helene but never reached vineyards. The blaze was mostly contained by Monday, though firefighters worked to prevent it from flaring up again.

The fire had forced the closure Sunday of a national highway between the area's coastal resort towns. Detours were put in place to temper traffic jams caused by heavy tourist traffic.