France's Fontainebleau forest fire stabilizes as investigations continue

The forest fire that broke out near Fontainebleau in early July burned roughly 2,200 hectares. At the peak, up to a thousand firefighters, several helicopters, Canadair water‑bombers and a Dash aircraft were deployed. By the weekend of 18 July the operation was being scaled back: ground crews were reduced to about 500 personnel and aerial support was withdrawn.

While the fire front is largely under control, hot‑spot re‑activations continue to be dealt with quickly. Police investigations have led to the judicial examination of two workers from the Aximum construction firm, accused of inadvertently igniting the blaze while cutting retainer devices on the A6 highway with a thermal cutter. Both were placed under judicial control, and the firm’s manager is being treated as a witness. Separate inquiries are also probing other suspected arson incidents linked to teenagers.

Authorities stress that the situation remains monitored closely, especially as a severe heatwave persists across the region, keeping the risk of new fires high.