Firefighters contained a wildfire that swept through forested hills in southern France, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate and scorching a vast area, the fire service announced Wednesday.

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

Flames engulf a forest near Bontives in the Var department of southeastern France (Reuters)

He added: "However, there are still hot spots and flames in several places, so we are exercising extreme caution this morning," according to AFP.

Earlier, it was reported that a huge fire that broke out Tuesday in southeastern France was advancing "very rapidly" on a mountain in the Provence region, after burning more than 1,700 hectares and forcing the evacuation of around 400 people.

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

Simon Babre, the prefect of the Var department, said: "The flames are moving down from Mount Gros Bessillon at a very high speed, which was unexpected given the weather conditions and the decrease in wind intensity."

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 were secured and housed.

Local authorities said 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 fire near Cotignac, southeastern France (AFP)

Babre confirmed in a press conference that aerial reinforcements would focus on "recreating barriers of fire-retardant materials to prevent its progress."

In this forested area deep in the Provence countryside, the fire started in a field according to rescue teams. Near the town of Cotignac, an AFP reporter saw a huge cloud of smoke rising behind the peaks of a burning mountain range.

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

In southwestern France, two firefighters died while taking part in extinguishing a fire near Bordeaux, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez on Tuesday.

Across the Mediterranean basin region of 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.