Fires Destroy 30,000 Hectares of Forests in Southern France

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Fires Destroy 30,000 Hectares of Forests in Southern France

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Fierce fires have devastated more than 30,000 hectares of forests in France's Mediterranean coast region and the island of Corsica since the beginning of this summer, the French authorities announced Tuesday.

The disasters marked a 20-year record loss of forests for France. Previous biggest losses were registered in 1986 (25,800 hectares) and 1983 (23,600 hectares).

A dozen fires swept through the Rivieria region of Var in the past 10 days, with two major ones in the Maures hills and a third in the neighboring Esterel -- both of outstanding natural beauty.

In the Maures alone, the fires have destroyed about 10,000 hectares of Mediterranean trees. Firefighters announced on Tuesdayafternoon that the blaze has been contained but more work remains to be done.

Severe fires also devastated wide swaths of picturesque Mediterranean trees on the island of Corsica. The French Defense Ministry announced Monday that the firefighting there would be reinforced by military troops.

The unprecedented fires this year were fueled by a persisting draught and winds of direction and speed unfavorable for firefighting, according to France Meteo.

However, the fires that hit the Var region on Monday were believed to be set up by arsonists because bottles of fuel were found on the ground.

Earlier in the day, French President Jacques Chirac and Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy vowed to track down the criminals and punish them with "exceptional severity."

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