Marseille wildfire live: Flames 'at gates' of city could continue to grow - as strong winds make it 'difficult to control'
We'll bring you all the latest as we get it on the developing fire in the Marseille area of southern France.
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Main objective is to 'defend Marseille', local official says - as more firefighters deployed
After announcing that the fire has now spread to 700 hectares (see 16.24 post), we can bring you more from Georges-Francois Leclerc, prefect of Bouches-du-Rhone.
He said the situation is "not frozen but under control".
The main objective is now to "defend Marseille", he added.
Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan told French broadcaster BFMTV that around 720 firefighters are battling the blaze, with more than 220 fire service vehicles deployed.
'Very difficult to control' fire started by car on side of motorway, local president says
"This fire started when a car caught fire on the side of the motorway," according to Martine Vassal, president of the Aix-Marseille-Provence area.
"Given the strength of the wind, it jumped the highway and from then on, it was very difficult to control."
Vassal insisted it was "too early to say" if the fire was caused by arson or an accident, but added that an investigation has been opened.
In pictures: Smoke engulfs areas around Marseille
It's a fast moving situation in and around Marseille but the scale of this fire is becoming clearer.
Images on social media, via the Reuters news agency, show enormous clouds of smoke engulfing areas around the city.
Emergency alert issued to hundreds of phones after wildfire broke out
Local media are reporting that an emergency message was sent to hundreds of phones in the area after the fire broke out.
"Avoid this area. Allow the security and emergency services to pass. Do not block emergency numbers," the message said.
Some homes have been evacuated, while emergency services are urging people not to travel unless they have clear instructions to do so.
Marseille fire has burned 700 hectares - with winds expected throughout evening
French authorities say the fire has already burned 700 hectares.
More than 10 buildings have burned, but no fatalities have been recorded in the Marseille area.
Emergency services have reported to broadcaster France 3 that the weather conditions are looking extremely unfavourable.
According to reports, gale-force winds have been fanning the flames with gusts reaching as high as 70mph.
Winds are not expected to weaken before 11pm local time tonight.
Train services suspended after fire near tracks
Flights aren't the only mode of transport impacted by the wildfire closing in on Marseille.
Trains have also been affected, with Zou! rail service suspending its services in both directions between Marseille and Miramas.
That's after a fire near the tracks at L'Estaque.
Watch: 168 firefighters deployed to fight blaze
The local fire service says 168 firefighters have been deployed to fight the blaze.
They're mainly focusing near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, northwest of Marseille, with French broadcaster BFMTV reporting that the fire has already covered 350 hectares.
Huge plumes of smoke can be seen billowing into the sky in the video below.
Flights being diverted after airport closed
Flights to and from Marseille Provence Airport have been suspended due to the wildfire raging close to the southern French city.
Local media have been reporting that flights have been diverted to other nearby airports like Nice following the outbreak of the fire.
Passengers impacted have been told to contact their airline.
Mayor urges Marseille residents to 'limit their movements'
We can bring you more from Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan, who has urged residents to be "extremely vigilant".
"The violent fire declared in Pennes-Mirabeau is now at the gates of Marseille," he wrote on X.
"I ask all Marseillais to be extremely vigilant and to limit their movements as much as possible to make way for emergency services, particularly in the north of the city."
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