Wildfire in southern France forces hundreds to evacuate

The blaze, which burned some 1,100 hectares (2,718 acres) of brush and pine forest, forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes and left seven people injured, according to government officials. Several dozen homes were also reportedly damaged.

Visiting the fire-ravaged area on Thursday, Prime Minister Francois Fillon promised to punish those found responsible for the accident and said the French military would review its rules with respect to shooting exercises.

Police say that the fire was ignited after soldiers from the 1st Foreign Legion Regiment used tracer bullets during a target practice at their base. These bullets contain an incendiary substance to make them visible in flight.

Although firefighters managed to bring the fire under control on Thursday, local officials were left outraged by the military's decision to carry out a shooting practice during the summer months, when high temperatures and dry conditions make scrublands even more susceptible to fire.

The regional police chief, Michel Sappin, called the exercise "stupid" and "scandalous," and pointed out that this is the second time the military has caused such a fire. "It was the same thing last year near the camp in Canjuers. That was the biggest fire last summer," he said.

The army has accepted responsibility for the wildfire and suspended the Foreign Legion drill instructor who led the practice.

"It was found that tracer rounds were used in violation of orders given. As a result, the army general staff has taken an interim decision to suspend the leader responsible from his duties," said Colonel Benoit Royal.

Marseille's mayor, Jean-Claude Gaudin, has also insisted that the military assist with the clean-up.

vj/AFP/AP/dpa
Editor: Susan Houlton