France, Aug. 8 -- The largest wildfire France has seen in nearly 80 years - ripping through forests, villages and vineyards in the southern Aude department - has been contained, but officials warn it will keep burning for days. Among the hardest-hit areas is the Corbieres wine region, where flames destroyed vineyards already weakened by years of drought and extreme weather.

Though the flames are not yet fully extinguished, firefighters have successfully contained the blaze after it tore through more than 17,000 hectares - an area greater than the size of Paris.

Fire crews remain on high alert, with strong winds and dry ground continuing to fuel hotspots.

Nearly 2,000 residents and holidaymakers have been forced to flee since the fire b...