A major wildfire has ravaged the Fontainebleau forest, located approximately 60 kilometers southeast of Paris, since erupting on Sunday. As of Monday, authorities estimate the fire has scorched between 1,000 and 1,200 hectares of the sprawling forest, destroying roughly 5 percent of the woodland. Police have arrested two people suspected of starting the fire, with authorities investigating the possibility that the blaze was deliberately set.
The fast-moving fire prompted extensive evacuation efforts, with hundreds of residents from nearby towns ordered to leave their homes. Firefighting operations have involved both ground crews and aircraft working to contain the flames as authorities continue to battle what they describe as an "exceptionally large wildfire" under challenging conditions.
The scale of the destruction has affected a significant area—nearly 1,000 hectares represents an expanse larger than Gibraltar. The incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by wildfires in the region, particularly during summer months.
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