Macron highlights 'exceptional magnitude' of Fontainebleau forest fire

French President Emmanuel Macron has highlighted the "exceptional magnitude" of a wildfire engulfing the historic Fontainebleau forest near Paris. The blaze, which ignited Sunday afternoon, has already consumed approximately 800 hectares, raising suspicions of arson. Macron expressed solidarity with residents of the Seine-et-Marne department and extended "profound gratitude" to firefighters and rescue teams working tirelessly to combat the flames.

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The Fontainebleau forest is affected by a fire of exceptional magnitude.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez noted that the fire's characteristics, including about ten ignition points within a kilometer and two origins on either side of the A6 highway, suggest it may have been deliberately set. Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region, echoed this sentiment, calling the fire the "most serious ever known" in her region and expressing hope that arsonists would be found and severely punished.

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Ten ignition points were detected within a kilometer perimeter, plus two origin points on either side of the A6 highway, suggesting it could be a deliberately set fire.

Nuñez described the incident as "totally exceptional and unprecedented," with the 800 hectares burned representing about 5% of the forest's total area. While the hope is to contain the fire on Monday, full extinguishment could take weeks. Approximately 500 firefighters, bolstered by crews from other departments and supported by a significant aerial deployment including Canadair water-bombing planes, are engaged in the firefighting efforts. Around 900 people were evacuated as a precaution, but no casualties or damage to residential areas have been reported.

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It is the most serious fire ever known in my region and it has been devastating the Fontainebleau forest massif since yesterday.