A volunteer firefighter in France has been placed under formal investigation in connection with a devastating forest fire that has scorched more than 2,000 hectares (approximately 5,000 acres) south of Paris. The 18-year-old is one of at least six individuals questioned regarding the blaze in the Fontainebleau forest, which necessitated the evacuation of around 1,000 people and partially closed the country's main north-south motorway since its ignition last Sunday. While the fire is now contained, it has not yet been fully extinguished.
Prosecutor Diane Ngomsik stated that the young volunteer initially confessed to starting the fire by igniting twigs with a lighter and petrol, although he later retracted this statement. French media outlet BFMTV also reported that a second 18-year-old man has been placed under formal investigation as part of the ongoing inquiry. A formal investigation in France is a procedural stage that may lead to criminal charges and a subsequent trial.
Visiting the affected area on Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron underscored the severity of the situation and declared there would be no leniency for those responsible for arson. He noted that France has recorded nearly 11,000 fires since the beginning of the year, a scale of incidents not witnessed since World War Two. The President highlighted that approximately 10% of the Fontainebleau forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981, has been consumed by the flames, but thankfully, no casualties have been reported.
The incident occurs as France, alongside many other European nations, grapples with a series of unusual and intense heatwaves. According to the Copernicus climate service, Europe is warming at twice the global average, making it the fastest-warming continent. This trend is driving more frequent and severe summer heatwaves, exacerbating pressure on water supplies, and increasing the risk and intensity of wildfires across the region. Record-breaking temperatures this summer have already fuelled major wildfires, most notably in Spain, where at least 13 fatalities have been reported.
The UK has also experienced significant wildfire activity. Firefighters in north-east Scotland have been battling a "large-scale" wildfire that has spread across more than two miles (3.5km) of dry land within the Cairngorms National Park. The Met Office has issued warnings for high fire risk across parts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, particularly in areas with dry vegetation and strong winds. Temperatures across the UK are generally expected to remain above average for the time of year, with some regions in southern England potentially reaching 28-30°C, while northern parts of Scotland could see temperatures around 20-22°C, accompanied by moderate south-westerly winds of 10-15 mph in exposed areas.