Fontainebleau Wildfires Fixed After Devouring About 2,000 Hectares

Overview

• Two separate fires that began over the weekend burned roughly 2,000–2,050 hectares of the Fontainebleau massif and were declared fixed by authorities Tuesday evening.
• Around 800–850 firefighters plus heavy ground machinery and extensive air support including Canadairs, Dash tankers and helicopters drawing from the château’s Grand Canal and ponds were deployed to stop the flames.
• Police have placed multiple people in custody in a probe of several ignition sites; investigators say some suspects have admitted starting separate fires, including a volunteer firefighter who confessed to using a lighter and petrol on brush.
• The forest’s sandy, organic‑rich soils contain peat that can smoulder underground as so‑called 'feux zombies', which makes full extinguishment slow and requires prolonged monitoring and targeted water‑soaking of hotspots.
• About 1,000 residents were evacuated, heritage teams coordinated water draws to protect the Château de Fontainebleau, and officials warn crews will remain on site for days or weeks to prevent reignition and protect homes and biodiversity.