A bushfire in New Caledonia's north has forced the evacuation of a high school.
Photo: Photo / AFP
Reports say 119 students in Ouegoa were taken to safety after a blaze nearby had ravaged about a square kilometre of vegetation.
The students, who were boarding, have been sent home as classes won't resume until Tuesday.
Near Noumea's main hospital a fire broke out last night but it has been brought under control.
The fire service said in Canala a rescue vehicle was stolen but later found about 70km away in Moindou.
It deplored that every year several of its vehicles were either stolen or vandalised.
There is an extreme fire risk across New Caledonia where about 100 square kilometres of vegetation has burnt since the middle of September.