Fontainebleau Forest Wildfire Becomes Worst in Over a Century, Nearly 2,000 Hectares Burned

On July 13, 2026, a devastating wildfire broke out in the Fontainebleau forest southeast of Paris, burning nearly 2,000 hectares— the most extensive fire in the area since records began in 1863. The blaze affected roughly 1,500 hectares in Noisy-sur-Ecole and an additional 450 hectares in Faisanderie. This dwarfs previous major fires in 1921 and 1945, which burned 762 and 825 hectares respectively.

The Fontainebleau forest is France’s second-largest state forest and its most visited, attracting 15 to 18 million visitors annually—almost double the Louvre Museum’s attendance. The forest boasts exceptional biodiversity, with over 6,500 animal species including rare insects, birds, and mammals. It also holds UNESCO biosphere reserve status and is part of the Natura 2000 ecological network, with 2,500 hectares designated as biological reserves, some of which were impacted by the fire.

Firefighters have contained but not fully extinguished the fires. A total of 669 firefighters are deployed—504 in Noisy-sur-Ecole and 165 in Faisanderie—supported by two water-bombing helicopters and three Canadairs. Pierre Ory, Prefect of Seine-et-Marne, conducted an aerial survey and announced a gradual reopening of the A6 highway, which has been closed due to the fire. Authorities advise residents to wear protective masks and avoid consuming garden produce contaminated by smoke. Despite the scale of the fire, no casualties or significant property damage have been reported.

The fire risk had been elevated due to a prolonged heatwave that has gripped the region since early July. The National Forestry Office (ONF) had already implemented preventive surveillance measures including watchtowers and water cisterns.

An 18-year-old volunteer firefighter was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. Initially confessing to using a lighter and gasoline, he later retracted his statement. The investigation into the fire's origin remains ongoing.

This wildfire represents one of the greatest environmental crises in Fontainebleau’s long history, threatening its rich natural heritage and underscoring the challenges of protecting such treasured landscapes amidst increasing climate risks and human factors.