Fontainebleau forest fire near Paris burns 2,000 ha, arson suspects arrested
A massive wildfire erupted in the historic Fontainebleau forest south‑east of Paris on 12‑13 July 2026. The blaze consumed roughly 2,050 hectares of woodland, forced the evacuation of about 1,000 residents and prompted the temporary closure of the A6 motorway. Around 850‑950 firefighters, supported by Canadair water‑bombers, helicopters and ground crews, fought the fire for several days. French interior minister Laurent Núñez announced the arrest of two teenagers – a volunteer firefighter born in 2007 who admitted lighting twigs with a lighter and gasoline, and a second teen who said a discarded cigarette started a separate fire. Both remain in police custody. President Emmanuel Macron visited the site to thank the emergency teams. Authorities imposed temporary bans on public access to nearby woods, restricted the use of tools and open flames, and ordered the suspension of the volunteer firefighter from duty. The fire also disrupted the world‑renowned bouldering area, halted horse‑riding activities at a local equestrian centre and caused significant ecological damage that may take years to recover.