A wildfire of 'exceptional scale' has broken out in Fontainebleau forest south-east of Paris, with 900 homes evacuated and firefighting planes sent up from the south of France for the first time to tackle a blaze in the Paris region.
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Key facts
- A wildfire described as being of 'exceptional scale' broke out in Fontainebleau forest, about 40 miles (60km) south-east of Paris.
- The blaze began late on Sunday afternoon and had spread across about 800 hectares (2,000 acres) by early Monday.
- Around 900 homes were evacuated, and road and rail links were affected.
- Firefighting planes were sent from southern France for the first time to tackle fires in the Paris region.
- France is battling its third heatwave of the summer, according to Sky News.
A wildfire of “exceptional scale” has broken out in Fontainebleau forest south-east of Paris, prompting a major emergency response as France contends with extreme summer conditions. Officials described the blaze as unprecedented in scale and unusual for its proximity to the French capital, according to the Guardian.
The fire began late on Sunday afternoon in the forest, a one-time royal hunting preserve about 40 miles (60km) from Paris that is today dotted with villages. By early Monday, the blaze had raced across about 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of forest and was still spreading, officials said.
According to the Guardian, around 900 homes were evacuated as the fire advanced, and both road and rail links in the area were hit, disrupting movement around the affected zone.
In a notable escalation of the response, firefighting planes were scrambled from the south of France to help tackle the blaze. The BBC reported it was the first time firefighting planes had been sent up from the normally drier and hotter south of the country to tackle fires in the Paris region.
The wildfire comes as France battles its third heatwave of the summer, Sky News reported. The combination of high temperatures and dry conditions has raised the risk of fires in areas not typically associated with such blazes.
Officials continued to monitor the fire’s spread on Monday as crews worked on the ground and in the air to bring it under control.
Why it matters
Wildfires striking close to Paris, and the unusual step of moving firefighting aircraft north from the south of France, point to shifting fire risks in regions once considered relatively safe. With France in its third heatwave of the summer, the blaze underscores the growing strain that extreme heat places on communities and emergency services.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the wildfire burning?
The fire is burning in Fontainebleau forest, a former royal hunting preserve located about 40 miles (60km) south-east of Paris, which today is dotted with villages.
How many homes were evacuated?
According to the Guardian, around 900 homes were evacuated as the blaze spread, and road and rail links were also affected.
Why were firefighting planes sent from southern France?
The BBC reported it was the first time firefighting planes had been sent up from the normally drier and hotter south of the country to tackle fires in the Paris region, reflecting the exceptional scale of the blaze.
Timeline
- Firefighting planes scrambled from south of France to tackle huge wildfire near Paris
The Guardian World: Officials say blaze in Fontainebleau forest is of ‘exceptional scale’, with 900 homes evacuated and road and rail links hit Europe live – latest updates Firefighters are tackling a blaze of unprecedented scale sweeping through Fontainebleau forest south-east of Paris. The fire be
- Wildfire of 'exceptional scale' breaks out in forest near Paris
Sky News: A wildfire of "exceptional scale" has broken out in a forest near Paris, as the country battles it third heatwave of the summer.
- Planes sent to tackle wildfires of 'exceptional scale' near Paris
BBC Science: It was the first time firefighting planes had been sent up from the normally drier and hotter south of the country to tackle fires in the Paris region.