A significant wildfire erupted Monday in the historic Fontainebleau forest, located south of Paris, leading to the evacuation of nearby residential areas and causing disruptions to train services and a major highway. The fire is one of several blazes across Western Europe amid the region's third red-alert heat wave of the summer.
The Fontainebleau forest fire is notable for its proximity to the French capital, situated approximately 70 kilometers (42 miles) away. The area is a popular destination for visitors and is home to the Fontainebleau Chateau, a historical site favored by Napoleon.
Hundreds of firefighters were deployed on the ground, supported by two water-dumping planes, according to a spokesperson for the regional fire service. While train services to and from the Gare de Lyon station experienced disruptions late Sunday, they were reportedly returning to normal by Monday morning. A segment of the A6 highway, a key route southeast of Paris, was temporarily closed due to fire risk.
This incident follows extensive fires in southern France that have burned thousands of hectares in the past week, impacting the Tour de France cycling race and straining firefighting resources. France is currently experiencing its hottest summer period, with temperatures exceeding 40 C (104 F) in western and central parts of the country and around 37 C (98 F) in Paris.
Europe is facing extreme heat and intense wildfires, with Spain also reporting significant fires, including one that resulted in at least 12 fatalities as residents attempted to escape the flames. The continent is warming at a rate twice the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service.