Fire-ravaged southwestern France experienced its "first somewhat optimistic day" on Thursday since wildfires broke out more than a week ago, a top local official said.
French firefighters have battled wildfires in the Gironde region which forced the evacuation of 220,000 people for more than a week.
The blazes have destroyed more than 200 homes and 42,000 hectares (104,000 acres).
"It is the first somewhat optimistic day, because we have the feeling that we are beginning to return to normal life and that things are starting to improve significantly," said Sophie Brocas, the prefect of the southwestern department of Gironde that was hit hardest by the fires.
But it was still too early to say when the fire will be fully contained, she said.
"There are still two active hotspots," Brocas added.
Crews will "work throughout the night and tomorrow morning to reinforce the firebreaks and secure the edges," she added.
Fire chief Marc Vermeulen declined to say when the fires would be contained.
"Giving you a date would be too risky on my part," he told reporters.
"It will depend on how the terrain reacts, the number of remaining flare-ups that emerge, and also on the weather conditions we will face over the coming days."
Earlier Thursday, 84,000 more people displaced by the blazes were authorised to return home.
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