French authorities are probing a volunteer firefighter for allegedly igniting a significant forest fire south of Paris. This incident, known as the Fontainebleau wildfire, has led to the destruction of over 2,000 hectares of woodland in France, prompting about 1,000 individuals to evacuate their residences. The suspect, an 18-year-old firefighter, initially admitted to starting the fire using a lighter and petrol on twigs but later recanted his statement, as reported by Prosecutor Diane Ngomsik.
Another 18-year-old is also under investigation, with authorities deliberating on potential charges related to the blaze. President Emmanuel Macron, during a visit to the affected area, emphasized a strict stance against arsonists. Despite the fire, which began last Sunday, being contained, firefighting efforts are ongoing. Macron disclosed that approximately 10% of the Fontainebleau forest, spanning more than 22,000 hectares and housing the Palace and Park of Fontainebleau, has been ravaged.
Due to the fire, the Fontainebleau Forest and its surrounding vicinity remain closed to the public, as per a warning on the tourism website. Macron highlighted the adverse impact of climate change on escalating temperatures, water resources, and wildfire occurrences globally, particularly in Europe, the continent experiencing the most rapid warming, per the Copernicus climate service.
France has encountered a surge in wildfires this summer, attributed to successive heatwaves, with nearly 11,000 fires reported. Macron noted that this year has witnessed the highest number of fires in France since World War Two. The country’s primary north-south motorway, passing through sections of the forest, has been partially shut down post the fire outbreak.
In Spain, wildfires in Andalusia resulted in at least 13 fatalities, while in the UK, a large wildfire in the Scottish Highlands necessitated evacuations of residential and commercial properties within the Cairngorms National Park, with firefighters actively combating the blaze for the third consecutive day.
