Some 400 firefighters battled what authorities described as an “exceptional-scale” blaze in the historic Forest of Fontainebleau, southeast of Paris. The fire was severe enough to shut down both train services and a nearby motorway.
France’s Interior Minister said the fire “could be deliberate,” and investigations are underway. The Fontainebleau forest, a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve and one of France’s most treasured natural landmarks, has faced increasing wildfire risks in recent years as climate change intensifies summer heat waves across Europe.
