Wildfire in historic Fontainebleau forest forces evacuations and disrupts transport near Paris, France
A large wildfire in the historic Fontainebleau forest, about 70 km (43 miles) south of Paris, disrupted the A6 highway and high-speed rail services after burning more than 800 ha (1 980 acres) and prompting evacuations near exposed residential areas.
Fontainebleau forest wildfire near Paris, France on July 12, 2026. Credit: Sapeurs-Pompiers 77
A wildfire in the historic Fontainebleau forest, located about 70 km (43 miles) south of Paris, had burned about 800 ha (1 980 acres) by Monday morning, July 13, forcing evacuations, disrupting the A6 highway and rail services, and drawing more than 400 firefighters and two water-bombing aircraft into the response.
The fire broke out alongside a highway near Fontainebleau on Sunday afternoon and had scorched more than 800 ha (1 980 acres) by midnight. Le Monde, citing firefighters, reported that the burned area stood at 800 ha (1 980 acres) on Monday and that the blaze began around 16:40 LT on Sunday along the highway.
More than 400 firefighters worked through the night to contain the fire, while authorities sent two water-bombing aircraft on Monday to support ground crews. Reuters reported that residents were warned about Canadair aircraft scooping water from the Seine during firefighting operations.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said about 900 homes had been evacuated, while SDIS 77 said half of Le Vaudoué’s 700 residents were evacuated. Le Monde said the fire remained uncontrolled Monday morning.
The A6 highway, a major route linking Paris with Lyon and southern France, was closed in the affected area because of the fire risk. Rail traffic to and from Paris’ Gare de Lyon was disrupted late Sunday, AP reported, while Le Monde said high-speed train traffic between Paris and Lyon had returned to normal speed by Monday morning.
The fire developed during a heatwave in France, with Météo-France listing Seine-et-Marne under heatwave vigilance.
References:
1 Firefighters battle blaze at Paris region’s Fontainebleau forest – Le Monde – July 13, 2026
2 Incendie en forêt de Fontainebleau : 800 ha parcourus par les flammes dans la nuit, le ministre de l’Intérieur sur place lundi matin – Le Parisien – July 13, 2026
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