SynopsisSouthern France battled a fierce wildfire on Wednesday, forcing evacuations as hundreds of firefighters tackled the blaze. Fueled by drought and strong winds, the fire consumed 800 hectares in the Herault and Aude departments. Difficult terrain hampered efforts, with water-dumping aircraft deployed. Two smaller fires also ignited near Marseille, highlighting a concerning trend following a recent European heatwave.APA large wildfire raged in southern France on Wednesday, forcing scores of people to be evacuated, emergency services said.Hundreds of firefighters mobilised to battle the blaze in the Herault and Aude departments, fuelled by drought and strong winds.It came a year after major blazes in the Corbieres region and days after a deadly heatwave across much of Europe, with another one forecast.By late evening the fire had covered 800 hectares, according to the prefecture."The fire is contained at times," a source in the prefecture told AFP around 11:00pm (2100 GMT), but "it is not under control."Conditions on the ground were difficult for firefighters, with no access routes in the hilly terrain. Water-dumping aircraft were being used.Temperatures of around 30C combined with strong wind gusts drove the spread of the fire through low, very dry vegetation.About 200 people were evacuated or confined in the communes of Pouzols‑Minervois and Mailhac, officials said."The smoke was so thick, so suffocating that firefighters told us to leave," said one evacuated woman, Danielle, 99, from Pouzols.Two smaller blazes broke out in Rognac and Lancon‑Provence near Marseille, according to local firefighters. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now