Firefighters Struggle To Bring Forest Fires Under Control In Southern France

PARIS (AP) -- Firefighters in southern France and on the Mediterranean island of Corsica struggled Tuesday to fight forest fires that were sparked or rekindled in heavy winds.

While many blazes in southern France had calmed by Tuesday, a ``relatively violent'' fire broke out near Nimes and was fanned by gusts reaching 70 kilometers (40 miles) per hour, said Yves Chapon, fire chief for the southern Gard region. Some residents were evacuated.

Chapon said the fire had been contained but could not predict when it would stabilize. Roughly 600 hectares (1,480 acres) of brush had been destroyed in the area.

Separate fires in the southern Bouches-du-Rhone region had stabilized by Tuesday after destroying more than 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of brush and pine forest. A man suspected of arson was being held for questioning.

A rise in temperature and strong winds rekindled many fires Tuesday in northern Corsica's forest of Bonifato. About 600 hectares (1,480 acres) of pine and oak forest had been destroyed.

Arson is also suspected in the Corsica fire, with officials searching for a white vehicle seen approaching the area just before the fire broke out.

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• Firefighters Bring Forest Blazes Under Control In Parts Of Southern France