7 New Forest Fires Hit Southern France

Planes and firemen Sunday battled seven new forest fires that broke out in three regions in the south of France, civil defense authorities said.

In the Ardeche area north of Montpellier, two Canadair fire-fighting planes and eight fire trucks tried to quench flames that erupted near Voulte-sur-Rhone.

The authorities said three other fires started at St. Sauveur de Montagut, Mayre and Andance, also in the Ardeche. All were whipped by strong winds.

By late afternoon, water dropped from four Canadair planes had contained flames at another fire near Calmette in the Gard area slightly to the south.

Two other fires erupted in the Pyrenees near the Spanish border at Vingrau and at Montesquieu. Canadairs and firemen were fighting the flames, the authorities said.