# Fontainebleau forest wildfire and recovery > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fontainebleau-forest-wildfire-and-recovery > Updated: 2026-08-21T14:38:00.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 4. In mid-July, a massive wildfire destroyed approximately 2,000 to 2,200 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest in France, the largest blaze since 1863. The fire, combined with extreme heat and drought, caused significant mortality among small fauna like insects and hedgehogs, while larger animals were forced to flee. In response, the association Pour une forêt vivante established an animal sanctuary on adjacent private land, where volunteers use basins with stones and branches to provide safe water for wildlife. Following the fire, authorities implemented widespread restrictions to mitigate risks from fire-damaged trees and underground hot spots in peaty soil. At one point, 76 out of 90 sectors were closed, causing substantial economic impact on local tourism, particularly for the bouldering community and hospitality businesses. Amidst these closures, the Prefecture of Seine-et-Marne and the National Forestry Office clarified that reports of resumed hunting were false; gunfire heard in the Grand Parquet area was actually a state-sanctioned effort to “humanely euthanize two severely injured deer” in an unaffected sector. By late August, plans were announced for a partial reopening of the massif. Approximately 80% of the forest will become accessible to the public, while a 4,000-hectare area—comprising the 2,000 hectares burned and a 2,000-hectare buffer zone—remains closed. Authorities warned that vegetation remains fragile due to dehydration and that the ecosystem may take decades to recover. ## Claims - The current drought is a preview of future conditions. (corroborated by 3 sources) - A recent fire destroyed 2,200 hectares of vegetation in the Fontainebleau forest. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Small fauna, including hedgehogs, reptiles, and insects, were killed in the fire zone. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Large fauna, such as deer and wild boar, fled the area due to the fire. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The association Pour une forêt vivante has established an animal sanctuary on private land near the forest. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Volunteers are providing water to wildlife using basins to combat extreme heat and drought. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-21: Fontainebleau Forest to partially reopen after July wildfires Fontainebleau Forest will partially reopen this Saturday, with 80% of the area accessible following July's major wildfires. Authorities warn of fire risks and fragile vegetation. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fontainebleau-forest-to-partially-reopen-after-july-wildfires ### 2026-08-15: Fontainebleau forest wildlife faces fire and drought Wildlife in France's Fontainebleau forest faces a crisis due to a recent 2,200-hectare fire and extreme drought, prompting volunteers to set up water sanctuaries for animals. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fontainebleau-forest-wildlife-faces-fire-and-drought ### 2026-08-11: Fontainebleau forest faces recovery after massive wildfire The Fontainebleau forest in France faces a slow recovery after a massive wildfire destroyed 2,000 hectares, leaving most sectors closed and impacting local tourism and bouldering communities. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fontainebleau-forest-faces-recovery-after-massive-wildfire ### 2026-08-09: Fontainebleau forest authorities deny resumption of hunting French authorities clarified that recent gunfire in the Fontainebleau forest was a state-mandated intervention to euthanize injured wildlife, not a resumption of hunting in the fire-damaged area. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fontainebleau-forest-authorities-deny-resumption-of-hunting --- Cite as: Fontainebleau forest wildfire and recovery. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fontainebleau-forest-wildfire-and-recovery