Tourists evacuated as forest fires hit France

Authorities evacuated six campsites in southern France as a precaution today as firefighters battled a large forest fire that…

Authorities evacuated six campsites in southern France as a precaution today as firefighters battled a large forest fire that officials said appeared to have been the work of arsonists.

The blaze destroyed 3,200 acres by late afternoon today, regional officials said. No injuries were reported, and officials said no homes or businesses were immediately threatened.

About 300 firefighters were using conventional equipment and water-dropping helicopters in an attempt to contain the fire near Puget-sur-Argens, authorities said.

Officials braced for possible power outages as the fire approached a high-voltage line supplying electricity to much of the region.

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AP