Two arrested after 1,200‑hectare fire in Fontainebleau forest near Paris

France’s fire services worked through Monday to bring under control a blaze that consumed roughly 1,200 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest, a sprawling woodland area located about 60 kilometres (40 miles) southeast of Paris. The fire ignited on Sunday in the historic forest, which was once a royal hunting ground and is now interspersed with several small villages. Authorities reported that the flames spread rapidly across the dense canopy, prompting a coordinated response from local firefighters, police and emergency crews.

Police have arrested two individuals suspected of deliberately starting the fire, though motives have not been disclosed. The containment effort continues as teams assess damage to the forest’s ecosystem and surrounding settlements. Officials emphasized that the incident underscores the challenges of managing wildfires in the region, and they remain vigilant in preventing further outbreaks.