More than 1,000 firefighters struggling to tackle huge forest blaze in France

 

More than 1,000 firefighters are struggling to contain a huge wildfire that has destroyed a large area of pine forest in southwest France.

Around 6,800 hectares (26 square miles) in the Gironde region and neighboring Lands have been burnt by the blaze, which began on Tuesday.

At least 16 houses have also been destroyed, and emergency services have forced around 10,000 people to evacuate the area.

Photographs released by firefighters showed flames raging through pine forests, sending clouds of smoke in the air and illuminating the sky with intense orange light.

It comes after the region was ravaged by flames last month and as France tackles its fourth heat wave following its worst drought ever.

"The conditions are particularly difficult: the vegetation and the soil are particularly dry after more than a month without rain," local officials said in a statement.

"The scorching temperatures are expected to continue until Saturday and combine with very dry air to create very severe fire risk conditions."