Fontainebleau Forest to partially reopen after July wildfires

The Fontainebleau Forest will partially reopen to the public this Saturday following a historic wildfire in July. According to Benoît Kaplan, the delegated prefect for equal opportunities, approximately 80% of the massif will be accessible to visitors safely.

A restricted area of about 4,000 hectares remains closed to the public. This perimeter includes 2,000 hectares directly affected by flames and a 2,000-hectare buffer zone. Firefighters continue to monitor the area daily to extinguish hot spots, as the forest's peaty soil can allow fire to circulate underground and resurface unexpectedly.

Authorities have issued warnings regarding the forest's vulnerability. Due to severe dehydration from heatwaves, the vegetation remains fragile, and trees suffering from water stress pose a falling risk. Visitors are urged to strictly follow walking paths and adhere to fire safety regulations, including prohibitions on smoking and barbecues. Sophie David of the National Forestry Office (ONF) noted that while the forest hosts 15 million visitors annually, the ecosystem requires time to rebuild, noting it may take decades to return to its former state.