A major wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest south of Paris has entered its second day as firefighters continue efforts to control the blaze. Officials have described the fire as extremely dangerous and unusually large for the region.
The flames have spread across around 800 hectares of forest land, located about 60 kilometres southeast of the French capital. The fire also forced the partial closure of a major north south highway, causing travel disruption.
Authorities Investigate Possible Deliberate Fire
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said investigators are looking into whether someone intentionally started the wildfire.
Officials found around 10 separate ignition points within a 1 kilometre area. This pattern has raised concerns that the blaze may have been deliberately started.
Authorities are continuing their investigation while firefighters focus on protecting people, homes, and nearby communities.
Firefighting Teams Arrive From Across France
France has sent additional firefighting resources to support the emergency response. Aircraft usually used in the hotter southern regions of the country have been deployed to help fight the flames near Paris.
Firefighters are using two helicopters and an observation aircraft to monitor the situation and slow the spread of the fire.
Emergency teams said their main goal is to protect lives and prevent damage to property.
Extreme Heat Increases Wildfire Risk
The Paris region is experiencing its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching dangerous levels across Europe.
France has already recorded around 25,000 hectares of land affected by wildfires since the start of the year. Rising temperatures and dry conditions have increased the risk of large fires.
The heat has also forced France to temporarily shut down three nuclear power stations. Officials took the action to prevent warm cooling water from entering already overheated rivers.
Travel Disruptions Across France
The wildfire has affected transport networks in the region. Earlier, another fire blocked a highway east of Paris and disrupted high speed train services heading toward southern France.
Passengers using Paris Gare de Lyon faced delays of up to six hours, according to railway officials.
The extreme temperatures also affected sporting events. Organisers of the Tour de France shortened one stage by 30 kilometres as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius.
Europe Faces Growing Wildfire Threat
Climate experts say rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and wildfires.
Europe is warming faster than the global average, creating more pressure on water supplies and increasing fire risks during summer months.
Several European countries have faced serious wildfire emergencies this summer. Spain reported deadly fires that caused multiple deaths, while emergency services in the United Kingdom responded to major wildfires in England and Wales.
The Fontainebleau forest fire highlights the growing challenge European countries face as extreme weather events become more common.
