A wildfire that reached Marseille has been pushed back but remains active. The mayor of France's second-largest city says that overall the fire is receding on Wednesday.

A fast-moving wildfire reached the outskirts of Marseille, France’s second-largest city, on Tuesday, leading its airport to be shut down, with residents told to stay indoors and shut all openings to be safe from the smoke.

Firefighting helicopters dumped water on the Marseille wildfire in France to contain the spread of flames. Dramatic footage shows the aircraft mid-air releasing fire suppressant over the blaze on July 9.

Driven by extremely strong winds, the fire affected dozens of homes in the north of the city and led to the evacuation of 450 people. No casualties were reported.

A wildfire threatening the outskirts of Marseille, France's second most populous city, was being fanned on Tuesday by a "Mistral" wind with gusts reaching 70 kph (43 mph). Firefighters said the blaze had,

Wildfire smoke blanketed the hills as the flames spread in Marseille, France. Footage shows haze from the burning fields blanketing the La Bricarde neighbourhood in the 15th arrondissement on July 9.

A wildfire near the southern French port city of Marseille has been brought under control, but has not been fully extinguished, officials said late Tuesday, after emergency crews battled the fast-moving blaze for hours.