Firefighters battle Fontainebleau forest fire near Paris as two arrested

World climate crisisfirefranceTop News Firefighters battle Fontainebleau forest fire near Paris as two arrested Major Wildfire Rages In Fontainebleau Forest Near Paris Relevant News Firefighters battle Fontainebleau forest fire near Paris as two arrested 14 July 2026 Bangkok governor vows tighter regulations as pub fire death toll rises to 30 14 July 2026 “Mafia State” investigators begin studying evidence at Nicosia base 14 July 2026 newsroom 14 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Firefighters battled through the night to tackle a blaze that tore through a historic forest near Paris on Tuesday, with at least two people arrested on suspicion of having started the fire near one of France’s best-known royal palaces. “It is not under control,” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said late on Monday, adding that the main blaze in Fontainebleau and another one nearby that started on Monday afternoon had scorched 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres). Nunez said the fire was just a few kilometres away from the Palace of Fontainebleau, which explained the deployment of considerable resources, including water-carrying planes and helicopters. For the first time, Canadair aircraft on Monday skimmed the River Seine to fill their tanks, attempting to contain a blaze that turned the sky black. Just 70 km (40 miles) from Paris, the fire forced the closure of the A6 highway linking the capital with Lyon and the south. Smaller fires in the area also disrupted high-speed train services. As many as 900 people were evacuated from their homes. Nunez said the Fontainebleau blaze is contributing to what will likely be a historic year for fires in France, with 32,000 hectares burned already this year, more than the total in 2025. “We’ll probably have a record year,” he said. “We expected this with this major drought.” Europe is enduring its third heatwave of the summer, with tinder-dry vegetation and high temperatures fuelling blazes from the Iberian Peninsula to France. Many scientists say climate change is making wildfires more frequent and difficult to combat. Nunez said 59 people have been arrested across France on suspicion of starting fires across the country. Around half were adults and half minors, with some repeat offenders, he said. (Reuters) Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Bangkok governor vows tighter regulations as pub fire death toll rises to 30 “Mafia State” investigators begin studying evidence at Nicosia base British Bases police get new patrol vehicles and body cameras Ledra-Onassagorou construction sparks shopkeeper backlash over timelines and disruption Police make eight arrests in overnight sweep, find 119 drivers to be speeding Stagnant water in Larnaca leads to mosquito and smell complaints Woman charged after €32,000 in cash and jewellery found in luggage Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.