Wind-driven fires hopscotch through south of France, Corsica

Hundreds of firefighters in the Riviera region of southern France and on the island of Corsica battled wind-whipped blazes Tuesday that have left first responders injured.

In this image dated Monday, July 24, 2017, a forest fire rages on a hillside above the village of Ortale in Corsica, France. [Photo: AP]

Eight firefighters and some 15 police officers have been hurt in the fires that broke out Monday and have consumed nearly 4,000 hectares (9880 acres) of vegetation, according to French authorities.

Firefighters spray water as they try to douse a fire near the village of Biguglia, Corsica island, France, Tuesday, July 25, 2017. [Photo: AP]

The French civil security authority has asked the European Union for help and to provide two Canadair planes to contain and extinguish the wildfire.

There have been no reports of injuries among residents or tourists.

An aerial view shows houses adjacent to terrain scorched by wildfire near the village of Biguglia, Corsica island, France. [Photo: AP]

Flames burned some 800 hectares (almost 2,000 acres) around the Var area of Provence, with two villas destroyed a dozen kilometers (7 miles) west of Saint-Tropez. A huge fire in the neighboring Luberon region was under control on Tuesday.

The Var prefecture said about 100 people were evacuated in Ramatuelle.

An anti-fire Canadair airplane drops water over a forest fire near La Croix-Valmer, southern France, Tuesday, July 25, 2017. [Photo: AP]

The largest blaze was in northern Corsica, with nearly 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) burned.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb arrived Tuesday evening in Corsica to meet with emergency services.