France battles third heatwave as wildfires scorch Fontainebleau forest
The fire in the UNESCO biosphere reserve adds to 25,000 hectares burned nationwide this year, amid rising temperatures and official warnings of continued extreme weather.
Wildfires have consumed more than 1,300 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest, a UNESCO biosphere reserve and former royal hunting estate located approximately 60 kilometres southeast of Paris. The blaze, which erupted on Sunday during a severe heatwave, has prompted the evacuation of approximately 1,000 residents and caused significant disruptions to rail and road traffic during a long holiday weekend.
Emergency response efforts have been substantial, with approximately 600 firefighters deployed on the ground alongside four Canadair aircraft, two Dash planes, and three water-bombing helicopters. Jean-Marc Sicard, the commander of rescue operations, confirmed that by nightfall on Monday, around 600 firefighters remained mobilised, working in shifts to contain the flames as aerial units carried out 187 water drops.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of France enduring its third heatwave in less than three months. Official figures indicate that the country recorded more than 2,000 excess deaths during the June heatwave and 300 during high temperatures in late May. Julien Marion, the director general of civil security, stated that wildfires have scorched approximately 25,000 hectares of land across France since the start of the year.
Meteo-France has warned that temperatures are likely to remain high through France’s Bastille Day national holiday on Tuesday. Scientists attribute the increased frequency of such extreme weather events to human-driven climate change, a factor contributing to the rapid spread of fires in several parts of the country over the past week.
The Fontainebleau forest, known for its quiet villages and historic significance, faces ongoing threats as emergency services continue their suppression efforts. The scale of the disaster has triggered an unprecedented aerial response in the greater Paris region, highlighting the growing challenges posed by extreme weather conditions to national infrastructure and public safety.
