Paris wildfire spreads, disrupting transport and doubling previous year's damage

A "very virulent" wildfire is raging near Paris, forcing the closure of a section of the A6 highway and disrupting high-speed train services. The blaze, which began on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, spread rapidly, crossing the A5 highway and the TGV Sud-Est line. Two water-bombing planes, typically deployed in southern France, have been mobilized to the Île-de-France region for the first time to help contain the fire.

This incident is part of a broader trend of intense summer fires across France, exacerbated by recent heatwaves. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that 17,000 hectares have already burned this summer, with projections suggesting the total could reach 25,000 hectares – double the amount for the same period last year. Fires have been reported in various regions, from the Pyrénées-Orientales to more northern areas like Indre and Loire-Atlantique, demonstrating the widespread risk.

Authorities are urging caution and warning of legal prosecution for those responsible for starting fires, whether intentionally or through negligence. President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that "nine out of ten fires are due to human activity," highlighting the potential for a moment's inattention to endanger lives and landscapes. Since the beginning of summer, 32 individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the fires, signaling a strict enforcement approach.