A massive wildfire south of Paris scorched more land overnight Tuesday, also ravaging a historic French forest, as at least two people were arrested on suspicion of starting a fire near one of the country’s most famous royal palaces.
The fire broke out Sunday in the Fontainebleau forest, located about 60 kilometers (40 miles) southeast of the French capital.
A second smaller fire was reported the following day and according to the latest estimates from firefighters, both fires have so far burnt more than 1,900 hectares (4,700 acres) of land – an area three times the size of Gibraltar.
“It is not under control,” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said of the fire on Monday night, adding that it was just a few kilometers from the Palace of Fontainebleau.
Firefighters are tackling the fire in Fontainebleau
About 900 people in and around Fontainebleau have been evacuated from their homes.
An investigation is underway to find out whether the fire was deliberately set.
The size of the fire and the historical importance of the site have prompted authorities to dispatch considerable resources.
About 850 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire with the help of water-carrying planes and helicopters.
For the first time to the greater Paris area, four Canadair aircraft were deployed along with two water-bombing aircraft and three helicopters.
On Monday, aircraft lifted water from the Seine River to extinguish the flames.
According to Jean-Marc Sicard, commander of the rescue operation, a total of 187 water drops were made by the evening.
France watches flames as heatwave scorches Europe
Nunez said Tuesday that the Fontainebleau fire is contributing to “a record year” for fires in France as Europe witnesses its third heat wave this summer.
It is estimated that 32,000 hectares of land have burned in fires already this year, surpassing the total for 2025.
The interior minister said 59 people had been arrested on suspicion of setting fires across the country, some of whom were repeat offenders.
Edited by: Zack Crellin
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