Wildfire Raging South of Paris May Have Been Set Deliberately, Says Minister


A large wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest, 60 kilometres southeast of Paris, has spread rapidly, covering more than 800 hectares in two days. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has announced that the blaze may have been intentionally set.



Map of France showing active fires in Fontainebleau forest
Map of France highlighting active fires in Fontainebleau forest. Source: BBC.


Nunez reported that officials identified ten ignition points within a 1,000‑meter perimeter, a pattern that raises suspicion of deliberate arson. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the blaze, and a total of 59 arrests across France have been linked to successive fires.


The fire has forced the closure of the main north–south highway and disrupted a high‑speed railway line. French rail company SNCF notified passengers of delays up to six hours, while emergency services deployed two firefighting helicopters, an observation aircraft, and planes from the southern firefighting fleet normally used in drier, hotter regions.


The incident is the latest in a series of extreme events this summer: the Paris region endured its third heatwave, Europe’s temperatures have been reaching record highs, and significant wildfires have already occurred in Spain and the UK. The Copernicus climate service notes that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, fueling more frequent heatwaves and intensified wildfire activity.


President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “exceptional magnitude” of the fire and pledged mobilisation of all available resources, while the French government urged continued vigilance and support for local residents.


Key Developments



  • 800 hectares burned in Fontainebleau forest.

  • 10 ignition points identified, indicating possible deliberate arson.

  • Two suspects arrested; 59 total arrests linked to fires nationwide.

  • Fire disrupted Paris‑north‑south highway and high‑speed rail line.

  • Heatwave fuels Europe’s most intense wildfire season.


What to Watch: Authorities are investigating the blaze’s cause, and emergency response teams have shifted resources to contain the spread. Climate experts highlight the growing risk of such events under rising temperatures, urging increased preparedness and prevention strategies.


For more detailed coverage of wildfires across Europe and climate‑action solutions, visit the BBC’s feature on Spain’s deadly wildfire and the report on extreme summer heatwaves.