In brief
A wildfire on the outskirts of Fontainebleau has forced the evacuation of horses from a nearby equestrian centre. Firefighters have battled the blaze for two days, describing it as virulent and covering 800 hectares. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez hinted at potential arson after the fire’s rapid spread. The incident comes amid Europe’s third heatwave of the year, breaking temperature records across the continent.
Horses have been evacuated from a riding centre near Paris as a raging wildfire on the outskirts of Fontainebleau threatens the equestrian grounds.
Firefighters have been battling to control the blaze for the past two days, with officials describing it as "virulent" and of "exceptional scale" after it spread over 800 hectares (about 2,000 acres) of forest south‑east of Paris.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez suggested the fire may have been deliberately set, sparking investigations into potential arson.
The incident comes amid Europe’s third summer heatwave, with record temperatures erupting across the continent and adding to the urgency of wildland‑fire response efforts.
For further details, read the related BBC report on the possible arson claim here.
