A fierce wildfire swept through a historic forest near Paris overnight, sending crews into a prolonged battle against the flames as authorities arrested at least two people suspected of starting the blaze close to one of France’s most celebrated royal palaces.
“It is not under control,” Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said last night. He said the main fire in Fontainebleau, along with another nearby blaze that broke out yesterday afternoon, had burned across 1,300 hectares.
The flames were only a few kilometres from the Palace of Fontainebleau, Mr Nuñez said, prompting officials to deploy extensive resources, including water-bombing aircraft and helicopters.
In an unprecedented operation, Canadair planes skimmed the River Seine to refill their tanks as crews fought to contain the fire beneath a sky darkened by smoke.
The fires have driven some 1,000 people from their homes in and around Fontainebleau
Several smaller outbreaks elsewhere in the area also caused disruption to high-speed rail services.
As many as 900 residents were evacuated from their homes.
France is marking Bastille Day today, a national celebration traditionally accompanied by fireworks after nightfall.
The festivities also coincide with an evening World Cup semi-final between France and Spain. Whatever the result, crowds of supporters are expected to pour into the streets after the final whistle, either in celebration or disappointment.
Mr Nuñez said the Fontainebleau fire was adding to what could become a historic year for wildfires in France. Some 32,000 hectares have already burned this year, surpassing the total recorded in 2025.
Firefighting helicopters draw water from a temporary reservoir
“We’ll probably have a record year,” he said.
“We expected this with this major drought,” Mr Nuñez added.
Europe is now facing its third heatwave of the summer, with extreme temperatures and parched vegetation feeding fires from the Iberian Peninsula into France.
Many scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency of wildfires while making them harder for emergency crews to bring under control.
Mr Nuñez said authorities had arrested 59 people across France on suspicion of starting fires in different parts of the country.
About half were adults and half were minors, he said, with repeat offenders among those detained.
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