Paris, 14 July 2026
After a major forest fire broke out in the Forêt de Fontainebleau south of Paris, two suspects were arrested late on Monday evening on charges of intentional or negligent arson.
The fire broke out on Sunday in the Fontainebleau forest and spread rapidly due to extreme drought conditions. According to authorities, the flames destroyed more than 1,300 hectares of forest – an area considered one of the worst forest fires in the greater Paris region in recent memory. Some 1,000 people had to be brought to safety.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced late on Monday evening that two suspects had been taken into custody for "intentional or negligent arson." According to investigator circles, one of the two suspects is 18 years old. The background of the act and any possible connection between the two arrested individuals were initially unclear.
Scale of the fire and ongoing firefighting operations
Some 600 firefighters were deployed, according to authorities. Firefighting aircraft were also used. The firefighting efforts proved difficult because the soil and vegetation are heavily dried out across large parts of France due to the year's third heatwave.
France is currently experiencing its third heatwave of the year, according to authorities and weather services. Scientists assume that heatwaves, which favor forest fires, are increasing in intensity and frequency as a result of human-caused climate change.