6 Nov 2002

Fires in French Polynesia

11:41 am on 6 November 2002

Bushfires in French Polynesia have spread to about one thousand hectares on the island of Tahiti and destroyed two houses.

The AFP news agency says firefighters have used helicopters in a bid to contain the fires some of which are suspected to have been lit deliberately.

The blaze comes amid unseasonably dry weather.

On the island of Bora Bora, water is now being rationed.