Massive Wildfire Near Paris Continues to Rage, 1900 Hectares Scorched

A large wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest, southeast of Paris, France, remains out of control despite continuous firefighting efforts throughout the night. The blaze has consumed approximately 1900 hectares of the 25,000-hectare nature reserve, surpassing the devastation of the previous largest fire in the area in 1921, which destroyed 762 hectares. Firefighters are struggling to contain the fire due to extremely dry conditions exacerbated by recent heatwaves. Over 600 firefighters, supported by four water-dropping planes and helicopters, are engaged in the battle. Local residents are providing crucial support by bringing food and drinks to fire stations, with one resident expressing distress and calling for criminal charges if the fire was intentionally set. The national holiday celebrations in Fontainebleau were canceled, leading a local pizza vendor to donate hundreds of pizzas to the exhausted firefighters. The A6 highway passing through the affected area is closed in both directions, though high-speed train services between Paris and Lyon have resumed after repairs to burnt cables. Authorities have found multiple ignition points, suggesting the fire may have been deliberately started, and two suspects have been arrested. The region is expected to remain hot with the possibility of thunderstorms in the coming days.