"It's our forest," one volunteer fighting the fire in the Gironde region told the BBC, as other locals have refused to heed evacuations.

Gale-force winds have whipped up the flames prompting the evacuation of several villages on the island, as parts of the continent also continue to tackle fires.

Hansard, who was 56, won the best song Oscar for the 2007 low-budget musical film Once.

Authorities have been trying to contain the wildfires, which have been burning for days.