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🇫🇷 France /Disasters & Emergencies

Fontainebleau fires stabilize, fewer firefighters needed

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Firefighters are reducing their numbers in Fontainebleau Forest as the situation stabilizes after recent blazes.
  • Around 2,200 hectares have burned, and air support has ceased, with ground crews decreasing from 850-1000 to about 500.
  • The withdrawal of firefighters from the south of France is noted due to high fire risk in that region.

The fires in Fontainebleau Forest are stabilizing, leading to a significant reduction in the number of firefighters deployed. While hundreds remain on duty, their numbers are decreasing from a peak of 850-1000 to around 500 by Sunday. Air support has also been withdrawn, with only two helicopters active on Saturday and no aerial resources planned for Sunday.

The global deployment is starting to be lightened.

— Sylvain WdowilCommander of the Seine-et-Marne firefighters, announcing the reduction in personnel.

This reduction in force comes as the situation is deemed "stabilized," according to a fire official. Firefighters from Paris and the Mediterranean arc have been recalled, a move that allows them to be redeployed to the south of France, which is currently at "very high risk" of fires. This strategic redeployment highlights the ongoing challenges of managing fire risks across different regions.

There are no longer any firefighters from Paris, nor firefighters from the Mediterranean arc.

— Paul-Edouard LaurainSpokesperson for the Seine-et-Marne firefighters, explaining the redeployment of resources.

The blazes, which began on Sunday and Monday, have consumed approximately 2,200 hectares. The forest's southern section was closed until Thursday evening due to the fires. The "hot spots" that reactivated on Saturday were immediately addressed by the remaining crews.

The withdrawal of firefighters from the southeast comes as the south of France is at "very high risk" of fire.

— Sylvain WdowilCommander of the Seine-et-Marne firefighters, explaining the reason for recalling southern firefighters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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