Wildfires ravage 100 to 150 hectares north of Marseille

MARSEILLE (AFP) Jul 24, 2004
Some 400 firefighters were battling wildfires that destroyed 100 to 150 hectares (250 to 375 acres) in northwest Marseille on Saturday, authorities said.

The fires torched a local fire brigade truck without causing injury, the local fire brigade said.

Eight Canadair fire-fighting planes and four water-dropping helicopters-- have been deployed to try to prevent the fires from spreading to the southeast, it added.

Earlier Saturday 160 firefighters backed up by more than 40 vehicles managed to bring under control a fire in Carry-le Rouet, a beach resort just northwest of this southern French metropolis.

TERRA.WIRE