French authorities are probing a volunteer firefighter suspected of igniting a significant forest fire south of Paris. Reports indicate that at least six individuals are under interrogation regarding the cause of the Fontainebleau wildfire, which ravaged over 2,000 hectares of French woodland, leading to the evacuation of around 1,000 residents from their homes.
The 18-year-old volunteer initially admitted to starting the fire by lighting twigs with a lighter and petrol but later withdrew his statement, as per Prosecutor Diane Ngomsik, as reported by the BBC. Another 18-year-old is also under formal investigation, awaiting authorities’ decision on potential charges related to the inferno, as per BFMTV.
During his visit to the area, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards arsonists. Firefighters are still actively working to extinguish the fire that broke out last Sunday, although it is now contained. President Macron disclosed that approximately 10% of the Fontainebleau forest, spanning over 22,000 hectares, has been scorched.
The state-owned forest, situated just south of Paris, houses the Palace and Park of Fontainebleau, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A notice on the Fontainebleau tourism website alerts the closure of the forest and surrounding areas to the public, urging compliance with safety guidelines to facilitate emergency operations.
France has faced a series of heatwaves this summer, contributing to nearly 11,000 fires. President Macron noted that this year witnessed the highest number of fires in France since World War Two. The primary north-south motorway passing through forest areas remains partially closed post-fire outbreak.
The escalating impact of climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and heightened wildfire incidents globally, particularly in Europe as the fastest-warming continent, is underscored by the Copernicus climate service. In Spain, wildfires in Andalusia claimed at least 13 lives, while a large wildfire in the Scottish Highlands prompted evacuations in the Cairngorms National Park as firefighters battle the blaze for the third consecutive day.