Firefighting aircraft have joined efforts to contain a rapidly spreading Fontainebleau forest fire south of Paris, as French authorities investigate whether the blaze was deliberately started amid the country’s latest heatwave.
The fire, which erupted on Sunday in the historic Fontainebleau forest, had burned through about 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of woodland by early Monday, forcing evacuations, disrupting transport links and raising fresh concerns over the growing threat of extreme weather events in France.
Located around 60 kilometres (40 miles) southeast of Paris, Fontainebleau forest is one of France’s most famous natural areas. Once used as a royal hunting ground, the forest is now surrounded by villages and attracts visitors for its landscapes, hiking trails and biodiversity.
The scale of the blaze was unusual for northern France, where large forest fires have traditionally been less common than in the country’s hotter southern regions.
Residents living near the affected areas described scenes of destruction as flames moved close to communities.
“I have never seen this before” in three decades, Didier Buguinet, deputy mayor of Le Vaudoue, said as the fire approached the village of about 750 residents.
“We’re going to weep for our forest,” he added.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said investigators were examining the possibility that the fire was intentionally caused after firefighters discovered several possible ignition points.
“There were about 10 fire ignition points within a perimeter of 1,000 metres, which suggests that it could have been deliberately set,” Nunez said.
Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the blaze, but the discovery of multiple starting points has increased suspicion of possible arson.
The response has included an unusual deployment of firefighting aircraft, marking the first time such planes have been used in the Paris region to combat a major forest fire.
Two Canadair firefighting planes joined ground crews on Monday, collecting water from the Seine River before releasing it over the flames.
The aircraft operated alongside hundreds of firefighters working through difficult conditions, with thick smoke covering parts of the forest and narrow roads complicating access for emergency vehicles.
Farmers also joined the emergency response, using tractors to transport water tanks and helping firefighters reach areas that were difficult to access.
Cindy Fuyard, a 45-year-old nurse from Le Vaudoue, said she evacuated her home with her family on Sunday night before returning to help emergency crews by opening her property gate so they could access water from her swimming pool.
“With global warming, it was to be expected that they would get closer” to Paris, she said, referring to the increasing frequency of forest fires.
France is currently experiencing its third heatwave in less than three months, with high temperatures contributing to dangerous fire conditions across several parts of the country.
Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and wildfires, to human-driven climate change.
The Fontainebleau forest fire caused significant disruption to transport networks, affecting both road and rail services.
The A6 motorway, a major route connecting Paris with southeastern France, was partially closed as smoke and flames threatened the area.
Rail services were also affected after fire damaged cables used by trains travelling between Paris and Lyon. France’s national railway operator later confirmed that repairs had been completed, allowing high-speed train services to return to normal.
READ ALSO: IMF Cuts 2026 Global Growth Forecast Amid Middle East War
Local resident Sophie Guiot told AFP she was surprised that the fire had reached the Paris region after seeing wildfire concerns mostly focused on southern France.
“My parents in the south of the country had been worrying about fires, but it’s here that it happened,” she said.
The blaze comes after a difficult year for France’s firefighting services. Since the beginning of the year, wildfires have destroyed around 25,000 hectares of land across the country, according to Julien Marion, director general of civil security.
The area affected is nearly the size of Edinburgh and represents roughly twice the amount of land burned during the same period last year.
France’s recent heatwaves have also had a deadly impact. Official figures showed more than 2,000 excess deaths during the June heatwave, while around 300 additional deaths were recorded during extreme temperatures in late May.
Meteorological authorities warned that high temperatures would continue through France’s national holiday on Tuesday, keeping pressure on emergency services battling wildfires across the country.
The Fontainebleau forest fire highlights how climate-related risks are increasingly affecting regions previously considered less vulnerable to major wildfires.
While southern France has long experienced seasonal forest fires, warmer temperatures, prolonged dry periods and changing weather patterns are expanding the areas at risk.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the blaze while investigators work to determine whether human activity was responsible for the outbreak.
For communities surrounding Fontainebleau forest, the immediate priority remains containing the flames and protecting residents, homes and one of France’s most treasured natural landscapes.