Forest fire devastates historic French Resistance site near Paris

A significant forest fire is raging in the historic Fontainebleau forest near Milly-la-Forêt, France, consuming at least 800 hectares and prompting evacuations.

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We are not in any danger at the moment, at least not while the wind is blowing away from us.

Sveinn Guðmundsson, a fishmonger residing in Milly-la-Forêt, described the situation as "terribly sad." While his town is currently safe due to favorable winds, the fire is encroaching on the Trois-Pignons area, a region known for its hiking trails, including the famous "Les 25 Bosses," and its historical importance to the French Resistance during World War II.

"There is a memorial here to the Publican resistance network and the British who died there. As far as I know, this area is more or less gone. It's terribly sad," Sveinn stated, expressing his sorrow over the damage to this cherished and historically significant landscape.

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It's terribly sad.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze, which has caused disruptions to traffic on the A6 highway and train services. Efforts are also underway to move horses and other animals from the affected areas to safety, given the prevalence of equestrian activities in the region.

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There is a memorial here to the Publican resistance network and the British who died there. As far as I know, this area is more or less gone. It's terribly sad.

Despite the proximity of the fire, Milly-la-Forêt has experienced minimal smoke or ash due to the wind direction. However, Sveinn noted the smoke shifting eastward, indicating the fire's continued spread deeper into the forest.

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There was a lot of work yesterday trying to get the horses to safety. There are a huge number of horses in this area and hopefully, it has all gone well.