PARIS — A wildfire erupted in the Fontainebleau forest late afternoon on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The fire, located approximately 40 miles southeast of Paris, prompted evacuations, highway closures, and major disruptions to regional transportation.

By early Monday, July 13, 2026, the blaze had burned approximately 1,900 acres and was still spreading. Officials described the fire as “very virulent” and of “exceptional scale.” Approximately 400 firefighters worked to contain the flames, with two firefighting planes deployed to the Paris region on Sunday. Aircraft operations were suspended at nightfall.

Around 15 homes were evacuated in the village of Vaudoue, according to the Seine-et-Marne fire service. Firefighters were also defending several other towns in the area. The fire caused the partial closure of a main highway, specifically a section of the A6 highway, which was shut down due to fire risk.

Traffic was disrupted along highways in the area and along the high-speed rail line leading to the southeast of the country. Trains to and from the Gare de Lyon train station were disrupted late Sunday but were returning to normal Monday morning.

Why It Matters

The fire unfolded as the Paris region experiences its third heat wave since May 2026. Temperatures surpassed 40°C (104°F) across western and central areas of France and reached around 37°C (98°F) in Paris. Fontainebleau Forest, established in 1865 and spanning parts of the Seine-et-Marne department, includes several communes such as Fontainebleau and Avon, and has long been recognized for its ecological and cultural significance.