Wildfire south of Paris may have been set deliberately, minister says
13 reported
A large wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest south of Paris has entered its second day, with officials describing it as "virulent" and of "exceptional scale." Interior minister Laurent Nunez indicated the blaze may have been deliberately set, noting there were about 10 ignition points within a 1,000-meter perimeter. The fire has partially closed the country's main north-south highway and disrupted train services, with delays of up to six hours at Paris's Gare de Lyon. Firefighting planes were deployed from southern France for the first time to tackle a fire in the Paris region, according to Eric Brocardi of France's national federation of firefighters. The Paris region is experiencing its third heatwave this year amid record-breaking temperatures across Europe. The heatwave has forced the temporary shutdown of three nuclear power stations and shortened a stage of the Tour de France by 30km. Julien Marion, director general of civil security in France, said wildfires have covered some 25,000 hectares of land in France since the start of this year.
What’s reported
The fire is in the Fontainebleau forest, about 40 miles (60km) south-east of Paris.
Officials described the blaze as "virulent" and of "exceptional scale."
Interior minister Laurent Nunez said there were about 10 fire ignition points within a 1,000-meter perimeter, suggesting it could have been deliberately set.
The fire partially closed the country's main north-south highway.
Train delays of up to six hours were reported at Paris's Gare de Lyon on Sunday evening.
Firefighting planes were sent from southern France for the first time to tackle fires in the Paris region.
Two firefighting helicopters and an observation aircraft were also deployed.
The Paris region is suffering through its third heatwave this year.
Three nuclear power stations were temporarily shut down to avoid discharging warm cooling water.
The Tour de France shortened Sunday's stage by 30km (19 miles) as temperatures neared 40C.
Julien Marion said wildfires have covered some 25,000 hectares in France since the start of this year.
Record-breaking temperatures across Europe have led to major wildfires, including in Spain where at least 13 people were killed by a wildfire in Almeria.
In the UK, a large wildfire in north Wales was declared a major incident on Sunday.
Key figures
Laurent Nunez, interior minister of France
Eric Brocardi, of France's national federation of firefighters
Julien Marion, director general of civil security in France
Sources: BBC News
