France deploys firefighting aircraft as wildfire disrupts Paris travel links
An 800-hectare forest fire south of Paris has disrupted motorways and high-speed rail services during a major holiday travel weekend
French authorities have deployed firefighting aircraft to the Paris region after a rapidly spreading wildfire disrupted road and rail travel south of the capital during one of the summer’s busiest getaway periods.
The blaze had burned across approximately 800 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest by early Monday and remained active around 60km southeast of Paris.
Two firefighting planes were transferred from southern France, alongside two helicopters and an observation aircraft.
Officials described the fire as unusually severe for the region and said it was the first time aircraft had been sent from the country’s traditionally higher-risk south to combat a wildfire near Paris.
The incident partially closed France’s principal north–south motorway, while another fire affected a route east of the capital. Rail services were also disrupted, with passengers travelling through Paris Gare de Lyon facing delays of up to six hours after a high-speed line towards southern France was affected.
The fire comes as the Paris region experiences its third heatwave of the year. Elsewhere in France, temperatures approaching 40°C have disrupted other infrastructure and events, with three nuclear power stations temporarily shut and a Tour de France stage shortened.
Wildfires have affected several European destinations this summer, increasing operational pressure on transport operators, emergency services, and medical networks during the peak travel season. In Spain, at least 13 people were killed by a major fire in Almería, while firefighters have also tackled significant incidents in parts of the UK.
Travellers have been advised to check rail and road conditions before departure as authorities continue efforts to contain the Fontainebleau blaze.