Two wildfires have ravaged the Fontainebleau forest, a UNESCO biosphere reserve and former royal hunting estate located south of Paris. Since breaking out on Sunday, the blazes have scorched more than 2,000 hectares of land. The fires forced approximately 1,000 local residents to evacuate their homes as flames tore through the woodlands.
A massive firefighting effort was launched to combat the flames, with around 850 firefighters, 200 vehicles, and six aircraft deployed. This response included the first use of Canadair, Dash, and water-bombing helicopters in the Paris region. Local officials have since announced that the fires are contained within their perimeter, though they are not yet fully extinguished, meaning crews will remain on the scene for days or weeks.
Investigators are focusing on how the fires started, with police suspecting arson after several blazes broke out in close proximity. Five people have been arrested in connection with the fires, including a volunteer firefighter who admitted to the facts. Another suspect admitted to accidentally starting a fire by throwing away a cigarette.