Marseille - French fire fighters gained control over forest fires near the Mediterranean port of Marseille yesterday after winds which had been fanning the blazes dipped. The fires, some thought to be have been set deliberately, destroyed more than 8,750 acres of forest and scrubland in two days, defying the efforts of about 2,000 firefighters backed by 350 fire engines and eight planes dumping water on the blazes.
Firefighters spent much of yesterday dousing the fringes of smouldering scrubland after wind calmed to about 20 m.p.h. from 60 m.p.h. on Saturday, when gusts lifted sparks high over fire breaks.
"The fire can be considered under control," a fire service spokesman said. - (Reuter)
