A fast-moving wildfire sweeping through France's Var department has scorched more than 2,500 hectares of land and forced the evacuation of around 400 residents, as more than a thousand firefighters continue efforts to contain the blaze amid high temperatures and dry conditions.

The fire broke out on Tuesday in the densely wooded region of southern France and remained uncontained on Wednesday, according to local authorities.

Commander William Vogl, spokesperson for the Var Fire and Rescue Service, said approximately 1,100 firefighters worked throughout the night to prevent the flames from spreading to additional communities.

"The situation has been very difficult. Around 1,100 firefighters fought the fire all night," Vogl told French media, adding that weather conditions were expected to become slightly more favorable despite persistent heat.

Authorities said most evacuations took place in and around the villages of Pontevès, Cotignac, Sillans-la-Cascade, Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens, where emergency services moved residents to safety as flames approached residential areas.

The Var Prefecture reported that approximately 2,300 households were left without electricity, with the village of Cotignac among the hardest hit by power outages caused by the fire.

Emergency crews remain on high alert as helicopters and firefighting aircraft continue to support ground operations aimed at containing the wildfire and protecting nearby homes.

Fire officials said strong winds on Tuesday contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, although forecasts suggest calmer wind conditions could aid firefighting efforts. However, exceptionally high temperatures and extremely dry vegetation continue to create conditions favorable for wildfire activity.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid affected areas and comply with evacuation orders as firefighters work to establish control lines around the blaze.

The latest wildfire comes as southern Europe experiences another summer marked by extreme heat and heightened wildfire danger.

Scientists say Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, prolonged droughts and large-scale wildfires. Rising temperatures have left forests and vegetation exceptionally dry, allowing fires to spread more rapidly and become increasingly difficult to control.

France has experienced a series of destructive wildfires in recent years, prompting authorities to strengthen emergency response capabilities and invest in additional aerial firefighting resources.

Officials said damage assessments will begin once the fire is brought under control, while firefighters remain deployed across the region to prevent further flare-ups as weather conditions continue to be closely monitored. (ILKHA)