Wildfires have scorched at least 10% of the historic Fontainebleau forest south of Paris, destroying approximately 2,000 hectares of the 20,000-hectare domain. The blazes forced 1,000 residents to flee and affected a site that draws hikers, climbers, and nature lovers from all over the world every year.
Roughly 950 firefighters, supported by aerial teams, continue to battle the flames. Although the fire has been contained, it remains unextinguished four days after it broke out. President Emmanuel Macron visited the site and warned that it may take several weeks for the fire to be completely extinguished.
During his visit, President Macron vowed to replant the historic domain and pledged a crackdown on arsonists. This occurs as wildfires have burned some 35,000 hectares nationwide this year, which is more than the total burned in all of 2025.
Several arrests have been made in the wake of the fire, including a volunteer firefighter who has been placed under formal investigation.