**France Sends Water Bombers to Tackle Wildfire Outside Paris**
**Fontainebleau, France – July 13, 2026** – In response to a major wildfire raging in the historic Fontainebleau forest, authorities in France have deployed two waterbombing planes to assist over 400 firefighters working tirelessly to contain the blaze. The fire, which ignited alongside a highway near Fontainebleau, has already scorched more than 800 hectares (approximately 1,980 acres) of land as a heatwave continues to grip western Europe.
The Fontainebleau forest, located just 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) from Paris, is known for its scenic beauty and historical significance, having once served as a hunting lodge for French monarchs. The ongoing fire has led to the closure of the A6 highway, a major route linking Paris with Lyon and southern France. Additionally, smaller fires in the vicinity have disrupted high-speed train services, further complicating transportation in the area.
As firefighters continue their efforts, local residents have been informed that the Canadair planes will need to scoop water from the river Seine, which flows through central Paris, to aid in extinguishing the flames. The French fire service has stated, “The fight continues today,” highlighting the ongoing battle against the wildfire.
The situation in France is part of a broader trend of increasing wildfires across Europe, attributed largely to climate change. Many scientists have noted that the frequency and intensity of heatwaves have risen, with large areas of continental Europe experiencing severe drought conditions. This summer alone, wildfires have devastated regions in France, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, destroying thousands of hectares of land.
In Spain, the impact of wildfires has been particularly tragic, with the death toll from a blaze in the southeastern Almeria province rising to 13 over the weekend, following the death of a 93-year-old British woman from burns. The severity of the heatwave affecting western Europe has prompted health officials to express concern over public safety, as excess mortality rates have surged. A heatwave in late June is estimated to have caused over 10,000 excess deaths across several countries, including France, Spain, and the UK.
Lasse Vestergaard, chief physician at Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut, which oversees the EuroMOMO mortality surveillance system, remarked on the unusual nature of the current heatwave. “To have this kind of excess at this time of year is unusual. It’s really high,” he stated, emphasizing the difficulty in attributing the high mortality rates to anything other than extreme heat.
As the firefighting efforts continue in Fontainebleau, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenges posed by climate change and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate its effects. The French government, along with other European nations, is under increasing pressure to address the escalating risks associated with wildfires and extreme weather events.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines as the firefighting efforts progress. The situation remains dynamic, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.