Firefighting planes deployed to large wildfire near Paris
14 reported
Two firefighting planes have been sent to the Paris region to combat a large wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest, described by officials as "virulent" and of "exceptional scale." The blaze partially closed France's main north-south highway, disrupting traffic during the first major summer getaway weekend. As of early Monday, the fire had spread across 800 hectares and was still growing, located about 40 miles (60km) southeast of Paris. This marks the first time firefighting planes have been dispatched from the typically drier south of France to the Paris region, according to Eric Brocardi of France's national federation of firefighters. Two firefighting helicopters and an observation aircraft were also deployed. The Paris region is experiencing its third heatwave this year amid record-breaking temperatures across Europe.
What’s reported
Two firefighting planes were sent to the Paris region to tackle a large wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest.
Officials described the blaze as "virulent" and of "exceptional scale."
The fire partially closed France's main north-south highway, disrupting summer getaway traffic.
By early Monday, the fire had spread across 800 hectares and was still spreading.
The forest is about 40 miles (60km) southeast of Paris.
Eric Brocardi stated it was the first time firefighting planes were sent from the south of France to the Paris region.
Two firefighting helicopters and an observation aircraft were also deployed.
The Paris region is suffering through its third heatwave this year.
A separate fire earlier blocked a highway east of Paris and disrupted a high-speed train line to the south of France.
Train delays of up to six hours were reported at Paris's Gare de Lyon on Sunday evening.
Three nuclear power stations were temporarily shut down due to the heatwave to avoid discharging warm cooling water.
The Tour de France shortened Sunday's stage by 30km (19 miles) as temperatures neared 40C.
Record-breaking temperatures across Europe have led to major wildfires, including a deadly fire in Spain that killed at least 13 people.
A large wildfire in north Wales was declared a major incident by emergency services on Sunday.
Key figures
Eric Brocardi, of France's national federation of firefighters
French rail company SNCF
Sources: BBC News
