Forest Fire in Fontainebleau: What We Know About the Devastating Blaze

An "exceptional" fire is devastating the western area of the iconic Fontainebleau forest, south-east of Paris, with flames having consumed at least 800 hectares by Monday morning. This blaze, described as of "exceptional magnitude," has necessitated unprecedented resources in the Île-de-France region and continues to disrupt rail traffic.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez visited the site on Monday, stating that the fire "could" have a "deliberate origin." He pointed to the presence of about ten ignition points within a 1000-meter radius as evidence suggesting intentionality. "We are hopeful that we can contain the fire within the day," Nuñez told reporters, "but extinguishing it will take days, if not weeks."

Approximately 500 firefighters are engaged in combating the fire, which is not yet contained. They are hoping for cooler temperatures overnight to aid their efforts. Helicopters and water-bombing planes, including two Canadairs deployed Monday morning, are assisting, though nightfall on Sunday had halted aerial rotations. The priority remains to "save lives and property," according to a spokesperson for the national firefighters' federation.

Several homes in the commune of Le Vaudoué were evacuated, and others in the vicinity required defense against the advancing flames. Around 200 people were moved to safety in the communes of Achères-la-Forêt and Le Vaudoué due to the fire's spread. Firefighters noted that without the aerial support, the villages of Noisy-sur-École and Le Vaudoué would certainly have been evacuated.

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On a bon espoir de pouvoir fixer le feu dans la journée. Mais «le traitement du feu prendra plusieurs jours voire plusieurs semaines».