Firefighting teams contained a wildfire that swept through wooded hills in southern France, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes and destroying a vast area, the fire authority announced Wednesday.

The firefighter spokesman, Eric Groin, told journalists about the fire that broke out the previous day in the French Var department: 'At the moment, the fire has been contained within its perimeter, meaning it is not spreading significantly.'

Flames devour a forest near Pontévès in the Var department of southeastern France (Reuters)

He added: 'However, there are still hot spots and flames in several locations, so we are exercising extreme caution this morning,' according to the Agence France-Presse.

It was earlier reported that a huge fire that broke out Tuesday in southeastern France advanced 'very quickly' on a mountain in Provence, after destroying more than 1,700 hectares and forcing the evacuation of around 400 people.

Flames consumed vegetation in a residential area of Coteniac in southeastern France (AFP)

Simon Babre, prefect of the Var department, said: 'The fire is spreading down from Mount Gros Bessillon very quickly, which was not anticipated given the weather conditions and the weakening of the wind.'

The fire spread at an astonishing speed in southern France, forcing around 400 people to evacuate several villages yesterday (AFP)

The department called for 'additional evacuations of residents' in three towns threatened by the flames, after between 300 and 400 people had been secured and housed.

Local authorities indicated that the fire cut off electricity to more than 2,300 homes in the area.

Wildfire firefighting vehicles make their way through flames as firefighters battle a huge blaze near Coteniac in southeastern France (AFP)

Babre confirmed at a press conference that aerial reinforcements will focus on 'recreating barriers of fire-retardant materials to prevent its advance.'

In this wooded area deep in the Provence countryside, the fire started in a field according to rescue teams. Near the town of Coteniac, an Agence France-Presse reporter saw a huge cloud of smoke rising behind the peaks of a burning mountain mass.

A fire broke out in a house in Coteniac, southeastern France (AFP)

In southwestern France, two firefighters died while participating in extinguishing a fire near Bordeaux, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, announced Tuesday.

Across the Mediterranean basin region in France, authorities are multiplying calls for caution due to dry and hot winds expected to intensify at the end of the week, along with record temperatures and dry vegetation.