A wildfire has erupted in the Fontainebleau forest, 60 km southeast of Paris, and is rapidly spreading across 800 hectares of pine and chestnut trees. French firefighters are deploying two planes from the hotter south of the country, a first for the Paris region, to bring water and fire‑fighting foam to the scene. In addition, two helicopters and an observation aircraft are on standby to monitor and extinguish the flames. The blaze has forced the partial closure of the A6 main north‑south highway, creating traffic snarls during the first summer weekend after the holidays.
The incident comes amid France’s third heatwave this year, with temperatures on record across Europe. The extreme heat has also prompted the temporary shutdown of three nuclear power stations to prevent heated cooling water from harming the environment. Meanwhile, French rail operator SNCF warned passengers of up to six‑hour delays on the high‑speed line running east from Paris, as the fire blocked critical sections of the track.
High‑profile sporting events are also feeling the heat: organisers of the Tour de France shortened Sunday’s stage by 30 km (19 miles) to keep cyclists safe as temperatures approached 40 °C. In Spain, a separate wildfire in Almeria has already claimed at least 13 lives, making it one of the country’s deadliest ever. Across the UK, a large wildfire in North Wales was declared a major incident, underscoring how heatwaves are sparking widespread forest fires across the continent.
Residents and visitors are urged to stay away from affected areas, heed local warnings, and follow fire‑fighting teams’ instructions as the situation evolves. The French authorities continue to monitor the fire, with the focus on preserving lives, protecting property, and keeping traffic moving as much as possible during this unprecedented blaze.
