Fontainebleau forest fire: 59 arrests for arson, 12,000 hectares ravaged
French authorities have arrested 59 people for deliberate fires or negligence, including two for the Fontainebleau forest fire that has destroyed nearly 12,000 hectares.
Fontainebleau forest fire: 59 arrests for arson, 12,000 hectares ravaged
French firefighters endured an extremely difficult night in the Fontainebleau forest, located south of Paris, as they battled a fire that has already consumed nearly 12,000 hectares in 48 hours. Authorities fear the affected area will continue to expand.
The fire broke out on Sunday at around 18:00 (local time) and spread rapidly despite the deployment of 500 firefighters on foot and aerial resources. For the first time in the Paris region, water-bombing aircraft were mobilised. Two Canadair aircraft draw water from the Seine to spray the flames, whilst Dash aircraft and specialised helicopters have also been deployed.
The French military announced it would intervene from Monday afternoon to provide support to firefighters. According to radio station ICI Paris Île-de-France, military armoured vehicles are to be used to level the terrain and facilitate access for rescue teams at the scene.
The Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, announced on Monday 13 July 2026 that 59 people had been apprehended in France for deliberate fires or through negligence. Among them, two individuals are directly linked to the Fontainebleau fire. "These consist of 30 adults and 29 minors, with very different profiles," the minister clarified during a television address.
He added: "Among the 59 people arrested, seven have been placed in custody and will be tried after admitting to deliberately setting fires."
The Fontainebleau forest, renowned worldwide among climbers and designated a "biosphere reserve" by UNESCO, extends approximately 60 kilometres south-east of the French capital. The fire, which could be of criminal origin, has already destroyed approximately 10,000 hectares of this forest massif in less than 24 hours.
The some 850 firefighters deployed hope to bring the disaster under control in the course of the day. President Emmanuel Macron stated on social network X that "all resources have been mobilised" to combat the flames.
Source: Newsit
Source: Newsit.gr