Wildfire south of Paris may have been deliberately set, minister says

Mon Sep 14 2026 05:42:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A massive blaze in the Fontainebleau forest is raging, officials suspect arson and have arrested suspects.

Firefighters are battling a massive wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest, 60km southeast of Paris, that has covered 800 hectares and blocked the main north‑south highway. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez suspects deliberate arson, citing 10 ignition points and two arrests, while President Macron stresses all resources are mobilised. The heatwave that triggered the blaze has led to train disruptions, a temporary shutdown of nuclear plants and a shortened Tour de France stage, illustrating Europe's escalating wildfire threat as climate change intensifies heat waves.

Wildfire south of Paris may have been deliberately set, minister says

Firefighters are battling a massive blaze in the Fontainebleau forest on the outskirts of Paris. The incident is on its second day and has already spread over 800 hectares, forcing the closure of the main north‑south highway and disrupting train services.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has said the fire may have been deliberately set, citing 10 ignition points within a 1,000‑meter perimeter. Two people were arrested for deliberate or accidental arson, with 59 suspects across France tied to similar fires.

The heatwave that sparked the blaze is France’s third of the year, and the fire has pushed the government to deploy firefighting planes from the southern region for the first time, along with helicopters and an observation aircraft.

President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that the “exceptional magnitude” of the fire requires all available resources. He expressed solidarity with local residents and praised firefighters’ efforts.

Transport disruptions have included delays of up to six hours on the high‑speed line to the south of France and temporary shutdowns of three nuclear power stations to avoid discharging warm cooling water into overheated waterways.

The wider context is Europe’s rapidly warming climate, which is fueling intense heat waves, increased pressure on water supplies and an uptick in severe wildfires. Other major wildfires this summer have already claimed lives in Spain and the UK, driving emergency services to declare major incidents.

For those in the area, authorities urged anyone able to do so to reach out via the dedicated contact form linked below for support and eyewitness reports: Contact form.