Watch huge flames sweep through Corsica as wildfires batter France

The wildfires currently battering the French island of Corsica have been captured on camera by one brave bus traveller.

The footage was taken near the small community of Biguglia on Monday 24 July. Firefighters have been battling against forest blazes along the French Riviera for days.

The largest fires have torched swathes of land near the popular coastal town of Saint-Tropez and across Corsica.

Florianne Amblard boarded a bus from Ile Rousse to Bastia, after she was unable to take the ferry due to bad weather conditions.

However, when the bus approached a roundabout near Bastia, local police informed people on the bus that they could not proceed due to a huge fire.

On the way back to Ile Rousse, the group passed in front of the wildfire, which is believed to have burned more than 1,800 hectares.

Local media reported the wildfire has been contained, but at least 322 firefighters are still on the ground, trying to extinguish the flames.

Another fire in Bormes-les-Mimoses, in the country's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, prompted the evacuation of at least 10,000 on 25 July.

France has deployed more than 4,000 firefighters and troops, backed by 19 water bombers, to put out the fires.

The French government asked for Europe's help to tackle the fires. It requested neighbouring countries send two extra fire-fighting planes, a request that was fulfilled by Italy, according to the EU.

"The EU stands in full solidarity with France. In an immediate response, the European Commission has helped mobilise a Canadair aircraft from Italy through our Civil Protection Mechanism," EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said.

"Earlier this month, France helped Italy fight forest fires and now Italy is showing its support to France. This is EU solidarity at its best. Our thoughts are with all those affected and the brave first responders working in difficult conditions."

Fires are also currently raging across central Portugal.

Meanwhile, a GofundMe page has been created to help improve the working conditions of firefighters in France.

The majority of them are believed to be working on a voluntary basis, and are paid up to €8 (£7) an hour.

"'Strength and courage', 'huge respect', this is what comes to mind when we witness the firemen who are fighting the flames in the South of France," said the Nice-Matin Group, which is behind the campaign.

Lieutenant Pierre Binaud, the President of the Association des Sapeurs Pompiers de Sud-Mediterranee (Association of Firefighters of the South-Mediterranean region) told IBTimes UK that thousands of men and women have come to help control the flames since fires rages across the country on 15 July.

"All available personnel have been mobilised, from tackling the flames to implementing preventive measures around the region," he said.

"Usually, one firefighter spends 10 hours on the flames. There are breaks at night, when we get to go home. But we work as much as we need to on the flames. We have to be available, we have to set an example," Binau continued.

The initiative has so far raised €9,430 .

Binau explained the money will likely fund some new equipment for the firefighters. He also said that some might go to help firemen hurt in the line of duty.