Evacuations lifted in southern France; fire risk still high
BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS, France — More than 12,000 evacuated residents and tourists in the south of France were told they could return to their homes and holiday places after firefighters tamed one of the fiercest blazes to break out during four days of wildfires.
The fire in the Mediterranean seaside town of Bormes-les-Mimosas in the southern Var region calmed Thursday because of a drop in the wind — but still marked the skyline with clouds of black smoke that were visible for miles.
Local authorities said that while it was safe for people to return to places they’d evacuated in the Bormes-les-Mimosas area, the fire risk remained at its highest level in other parts of the Var region.
Despite the progress, authorities fear there may be new fires and flare-ups due to dry conditions and higher winds in weather forecasts. Firefighters still battling blazes in Artigues, some 100 kilometres (62 miles) away from Bormes-les-Mimosas.