Paris, France – On Monday, July 13, 2026, France was on high alert as a severe heatwave gripped large parts of the country. Thirty-seven departments remained under alert. Amid the exceptional temperatures, firefighters battled multiple forest fires, most notably the blaze in the famous Fontainebleau forest southeast of Paris. Authorities described it as an “exceptional and unprecedented event.”
Suspicions of “deliberate intent” in the Fontainebleau fire
In a serious statement, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that the Fontainebleau forest fire may have been deliberately set. During a visit to the fire station’s command center, Nuñez explained that the fire broke out simultaneously in several locations, including along both sides of the A6 motorway and at approximately ten starting points within a 1,000-meter radius. The National Gendarmerie has been tasked with opening a criminal investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident.
Record numbers and widespread mobilization
So far, the fire has consumed 800 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest, representing 5% of its total area. The blaze has forced the evacuation of nearly 900 people from homes on the forest’s edge, with no reported injuries. A battalion of 500 firefighters is battling the flames, supported by Canadair water tankers that have begun drawing water from the Seine River to help extinguish the fire. Officials hope the fire will be contained during daylight hours.
Map of fires in France
The fires were not limited to Fontainebleau; other areas experienced similar consequences. A fire that consumed 12 hectares was brought under control with the help of 207 firefighters, one of whom sustained a minor injury, in Sarthe. Meanwhile, 193 hectares burned in the Hoyes forest in Lot-et-Garonne, with unfavorable weather conditions persisting. In Côtes-d’Armor, the Cap Freyle fire continues to burn but is contained. Hiking trails and some local roads have also been closed.
proactive government measures
Nationally, government spokesperson Maude Brégon affirmed the resilience of the healthcare system despite the immense pressure. She noted the opening of over 2,000 cooling centers over the weekend. Locally, some Bastille Day (July 14) celebrations and fireworks displays were cancelled. This was intended to avoid overburdening emergency services and reduce the risk of new fires. To bolster capacity, the government hopes to deploy military A400M aircraft for firefighting operations in the coming weeks.
