French forest fires spread

A series of fierce forest fires across south-east France are being spread by unusually hot, dry and windy weather.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes and a campsite at Escalet was cleared as firefighters fought the blazes.

Canadair water-bombing aircraft and helicopters are being deployed to aid the fire fighting efforts.

"It's a very dangerous day," Michel Bernier, of France's civil defence forces, told AFP news agency.

"And the fight is going to be very, very long tonight," he added as firefighters worked into Tuesday.