The fire, described by authorities as «very virulent,» ignited Sunday afternoon within the vast Fontainebleau forest, roughly 60 kilometres southeast of Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron has categorized the wildfire that started on Sunday in the extensive Fontainebleau forest just south of Paris as a fire of «exceptional magnitude.»
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«To the inhabitants of Seine-et-Marne, I convey our solidarity. To the firefighters and rescue teams working tirelessly, our deepest gratitude. Every available resource is being deployed,» Macron stated in a message on X.
Officials characterized the fire as «very virulent» as it expanded across 800 hectares and continued to spread, with fire crews urgently working to control it.
The blaze prompted authorities to partially close the A6 motorway, the nation’s main north-south route, early Monday morning.
With the onset of night, aerial firefighting efforts were halted.
About 15 residences were evacuated in Vaudoue, a nearby village, while firefighters defended several other nearby communities, according to the local Seine-et-Marne fire brigade.
Two firefighting aircraft and 400 firefighters were engaged to restrain the flames, which broke out shortly before the 14 July national holiday and on the first major summer holiday departure weekend.
Eric Brocardi, representing France’s national federation of firefighters, remarked that this marked the first deployment of fire bomber planes from the normally drier, hotter south to battle fires in the Paris area.
Additionally, two firefighting helicopters and a reconnaissance plane were assisting with the suppression efforts.
«The primary objective is to preserve lives and property,» he added as the fire progressed.
France is currently undergoing its third heatwave since May, escalating the likelihood of wildfires.
These three heatwaves have shattered temperature records in multiple European nations and led to thousands of excess deaths, based on estimates from Belgium, the UK, France, and Spain.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who announced plans to visit Fontainebleau on Monday, reported that forest fires have already ravaged 17,000 hectares this year.
After comprehensive calculations, the total is estimated to reach 25,000 hectares – which is double the amount recorded during the same period in 2025, he noted.
Additional sources • AFP