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Controlled fire, volunteer firefighter implicated… Let's catch up on the Fontainebleau fire

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The Editor

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Three days after the fire started in the Fontainebleau forest, the firefighters have finally managed to gain control over the flames. An investigation has been opened to determine the causes of this event, and two individuals have acknowledged their involvement. 

It's the event that gave a much harsher twist to our summer... On Monday, July 13, more than 800 firefighters were mobilized to try to extinguish the fierce fire that started on Sunday, July 12 and devastated the Fontainebleau forest, south-east of Paris. As of Wednesday morning, July 15, the firefighters were still deployed in the two areas where the flames originated, but they confirmed that the fire had been contained since the previous evening. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of this fire, and several individuals have been taken into custody. 


2,000 hectares burned, firefighters still active on site

800 firefighters, three Canadairs, one Dash, two firefighting helicopters… This is an unprecedented operation — and a first for Île-de-France — that has been deployed to quickly bring the fire in the Fontainebleau forest under control. Despite these efforts, several homes had to be evacuated, and over 2,000 hectares of vegetation have gone up in smoke. While the flames are contained, the new goal is to extinguish the lingering hotspots around the area, to prevent a new outbreak of fire.


Two people have acknowledged their responsibility 

While the intense heat and drought was initially seen as the main theory — and certainly contributed to the swift spread of the flames — intentional acts quickly emerged as the most plausible explanation. The reason? The increasing number of fire ignition points. An investigation was launched, leading to the detention of six individuals. « Various reports led to arrests near places where fires started or rekindled», the public prosecutor explained in a statement. Among them, two people admitted to being involved in the fire, including a young volunteer firefighter of 17 who allegedly set fire to twigs with a lighter and gasoline in Arbonne-la-Forêt. He has been suspended from his duties.

tions. The second would have caused a fire to start by throwing down his cigarette. The investigation is ongoing to gather more information. According to local authorities, about ten days will be needed to completely extinguish the fire.