Firefighters battle 800-hectare blaze near Paris

French firefighters, supported by water-bombing aircraft, are battling a large and fast-moving wildfire in the historic Fontainebleau forest south of Paris, which has scorched at least 800 hectares and forced evacuations and major transport disruptions. The blaze, described by officials as "very virulent" and of "exceptional scale," broke out on the afternoon of July 12, forcing the partial closure of the A6 highway linking Paris with Lyon and the south and causing significant delays on high-speed rail lines.

More than 400 firefighters worked through the night of July 12-13 to contain the flames, which are burning about 60 kilometers southeast of the capital. Two Canadair water-dumping planes, along with two helicopters and an observation aircraft, were deployed to assist ground crews. Officials stated this marks the first time firefighting planes have been sent from the typically drier south of France to combat a blaze in the Paris region. The fire prompted the evacuation of approximately 15 homes in the nearby village of Vaudoue, with firefighters working to defend other towns in the area.

The wildfire erupted during the first major summer holiday travel weekend and just ahead...