This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
On August 5, 2020, a massive forest fire broke out in southern France, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
According to officials, around 2,700 people were evacuated, some by boat, to escape the raging fires near the city of Marseille.
The fires, which started on Tuesday afternoon, have ravaged about 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of vegetation and are threatening residential areas and campsites near the coast.
Despite the efforts of 1,800 firefighters, the blazes are not yet under control, but lighter winds are expected later in the day.
No casualties have been reported, but material damage is still being evaluated.
Eight campsites near the towns of Martigues and Sausset-les-Pins have been evacuated as a preventative measure, with some tourists being taken by boat and cared for by local authorities.
A care home for the elderly was also evacuated, and a second blaze in the same region damaged a house and several businesses.
Some 1,800 firefighters are battling the blaze © AFP / Xavier LEOTY
