A massive wildfire has swept through the historic Fontainebleau Forest near Paris, forcing evacuations, disrupting transport and prompting one of France’s largest firefighting operations in recent years.
The blaze erupted over the weekend in the centuries old forest, about 70 kilometres southeast of Paris. The area is famous for its rich biodiversity and its proximity to the historic Palace of Fontainebleau, a former royal residence and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More than 400 firefighters, supported by water bombing aircraft and helicopters, have battled the flames for days and authorities deployed firefighting planes in the Paris region for the first time, highlighting the scale of the emergency.
Officials say the fire has scorched around 1,300 hectares of forest and remains out of control. The flames forced the temporary closure of the A6 motorway linking Paris to southern France, while rail services in the area also suffered disruptions.
Around 1,000 residents were evacuated as a precaution. Fortunately, authorities have reported no deaths or injuries linked to the wildfire so far.
French police have arrested two people on suspicion of starting the fire. Investigators are examining whether arson played a role in the disaster, although the exact cause remains under investigation.
The wildfire comes as Western Europe faces an intense heatwave, with unusually high temperatures and dry conditions fuelling blazes across France, Spain and other parts of the continent. Officials say France has already recorded more than 32,000 hectares of burned land this year, making 2026 one of the country’s worst wildfire seasons on record. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events.
