France is facing a severe wildfire in the Fontainebleau Forest, located just 60 kilometers from Paris. Authorities have mobilized over 400 firefighters, along with firefighting planes and helicopters, to control the situation after the fire consumed approximately 5,000 rai. The blaze has forced evacuations, closures of major highways, and disrupted the high-speed rail network amid the country's third heatwave this year.
More than 400 French firefighters, supported by helicopters and water-dropping planes, are intensively working to contain a large and "exceptionally intense" wildfire on the western edge of the Fontainebleau Forest, about 60 kilometers southeast of Paris.
Recent reports indicate the fire has rapidly spread over approximately 5,000 rai and remains uncontrolled. Once visibility diminished at dusk, aerial firefighting operations were temporarily suspended, leaving ground crews to battle the flames overnight, hoping the cooler evening temperatures would help slow the fire's advance.
Deploying firefighting aircraft from southern France—usually hotter and drier—to assist in the Paris region and northern areas marks an unprecedented event, highlighting the current severity of the situation.
The wildfire coincided with the first weekend of the summer tourist season and just before France's National Day on 14 July, severely impacting transportation. The A6 highway, a major north-south route, was partially closed due to dense smoke and flames near the road, while the southern TGV high-speed train service was disrupted, causing delays of up to six hours at Paris's Gare de Lyon station.
Regarding evacuations, residents of the village of Vaux-le-Pénil and nearby areas were urgently moved from their homes. One local reported ash spreading throughout the atmosphere, with the wildfire surrounding the village on both sides, while firefighters worked tirelessly to establish firebreaks to prevent the blaze from reaching the town.
Currently, most of France, including the Paris region, is under a red alert warning in 37 departments due to the third heatwave since May, with temperatures in many areas nearing 40 degrees Celsius.
This extreme weather crisis has widespread effects in France. Authorities have temporarily shut down three nuclear power plants because river water temperatures are too high for safe cooling. Additionally, organizers of the Tour de France cycling race reduced the Sunday stage by 30 kilometers to ensure the cyclists' safety.
Laurent Nunez, Deputy Minister of the Interior, revealed that wildfires have burned more than 17,000 hectares across France this year, with total damage expected to reach up to 25,000 hectares—"double the amount compared to the same period in 2023."
Apart from the Paris area, a severe wildfire has also broken out in Maine-et-Loire province in western France, destroying around 1,875 rai of agricultural land and forest. The fire damaged two houses and three mobile homes and disrupted high-voltage power lines. Over 200 firefighters and local farmers cooperated to contain the blaze, which stabilized overnight with no reported injuries or fatalities.