French authorities are battling a significant wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest, south-east of Paris, described by officials as being of "exceptional scale". The blaze, which has entered its second day, has prompted the unprecedented deployment of firefighting planes, typically reserved for the drier and hotter southern regions of the country, to the Paris area.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez indicated on Monday that the fire, which rapidly spread across 800 hectares, may have been deliberately started. He noted around ten ignition points within a 1,000-metre perimeter, leading to the arrest of two individuals in connection with the Fontainebleau incident. Across France, a total of 59 arrests have been made in connection with various fires.
The current heatwave, the third to hit the Paris region this year, has created challenging conditions for firefighters. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with local residents and praised the efforts of emergency services, stating that "all available resources are being mobilised" to control the "exceptional magnitude" fire. The incident has also led to the partial closure of a major north-south highway and significant delays for high-speed train services from Paris's Gare de Lyon.
The deployment of specialist aerial firefighting assets, including two helicopters and an observation aircraft, highlights the severity of the situation. Eric Brocardi of France's national federation of firefighters confirmed this was the first time such planes had been sent to tackle fires in the Paris region, underscoring the unusual nature of this summer's blazes. He emphasised that the primary objective is to "save lives and property."
This year, wildfires have already consumed approximately 25,000 hectares of land across France, according to Julien Marion, director general of civil security. The widespread heat has also forced the temporary shutdown of three nuclear power stations to prevent the discharge of warm cooling water into already overheated waterways. Across Europe, record-breaking temperatures are fuelling major wildfires, with Spain experiencing one of its deadliest blazes in Almeria, and the UK also grappling with significant incidents, including a major wildfire declared in north Wales.