By Jonathan Charles BBC, La Bouverie, southern France

A thick black plume of smoke rises hundreds of feet into the air into the hills above the village of La Bouverie.

The fires have laid waste to holiday areas

Surrounded by green vegetation, the fire is slowly eating its way forward, a wall of flame, destroying everything in its wake.

Around this lie scarred black areas where fire has already destroyed thousands of acres of forest.

Every so often aircraft and helicopters carrying gallons of water fly overhead in attempts to douse the flames - to little effect.

Overall the authorities here tell us that they are on top of the situation and that the fires are under control. But new sparks light new fires.

The winds, which have been fanning the flames, have now abated and firefighters hope that will give them the chance to extinguish these fires for good.

But for some people it all comes too late. Chris Berger has lived here for more than 30 years but he and his family now pick around the wreckage of what was once their home. It burned down in less than 20 minutes as the flames consumed it.

His wife Genevieve looks amongst the debris for anything to be salvaged. But like many others, they know they will have to start rebuilding their homes and rebuilding their lives.

Dry ground

Elsewhere hundreds of holiday-makers have been moved from their campsites, hotels and villas. They hope to be able to return soon.

The area has had no significant rain since February

But everyone here knows that once this crisis has passed it may not be too long before it happens again.

This area has had no significant amount of rain since February. The ground is tinder-dry and the trees ready to burn.

The authorities say that further fires are inevitable during this long, hot summer. But their aim is to ensure the fires are started by nature, not arsonists.

One man, who has been acused of arson, will appear in court this afternoon. He has been charged with starting multiple fires and also accused of having material to start others.

The authorities say he is not the only suspected arsonist. Others are believed to have been starting fires deliberately.