Forest fire spreads near Paris as dozens are arrested in France

A severe wildfire broke out on Sunday evening in the historic Fontainebleau forest, located 60 kilometers southeast of Paris. Approximately 500 firefighters and, for the first time in the region, aerial firefighting assets including Canadair and Dash aircraft were deployed to combat the blaze. Reports on the area burned vary, with figures ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 hectares on the main front, plus an additional 1,000 hectares in a secondary fire five kilometers away. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that 59 people have been arrested across the country for intentional or accidental arson, with seven held for trial after confessing. While some local officials described the fire as uncontrolled, others noted the situation was being managed despite new hotspots. The fire impacted transportation, briefly causing closures on the A6 motorway, while separate fires elsewhere disrupted high-speed train traffic to Lyon. France has been experiencing its third heatwave of the year, exacerbating the wildfire risks.