What is the name and location of the wildfire?
As of July 14, 2026, the Fontainebleau Forest Fire is actively burning in the historic Fontainebleau Forest, approximately 60 km (40 miles) southeast of Paris, France (1).
The fire erupted on Sunday, July 12, within a UNESCO biosphere reserve and former royal hunting estate.
Authorities suspect the fire may have been deliberately set, with around ten ignition points identified within a 1,000-metre perimeter, and two people arrested in connection with the blaze (2).
Fire map of Fontainebleau Forest region, France, as of July 14, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Which cities or areas are affected by the Fontainebleau Forest Fire?
The Fontainebleau Forest Fire is affecting several communities, including:
- Arbonne-la-Forêt
- Fontainebleau
- Milly-la-Forêt
- Noisy-sur-École
- Le Vaudoué
What is the current containment status of the Fontainebleau Forest Fire?
As of the evening of July 13, 2026, the fire remains active, having scorched more than 1,300 hectares (3,200 acres). Weather conditions remain unfavorable, with around 600 firefighters continuing operations through the night in rotating shifts (3).
Four Canadair aircraft, two Dash planes, and three water-bombing helicopters were deployed, an unprecedented response for the greater Paris region, carrying out 187 water drops throughout the day. Aircraft scooped water directly from the River Seine to aid firefighting efforts.
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
Around 1,000 people in and around Fontainebleau have been evacuated. Fifteen homes in the village of Le Vaudoué were among those evacuated early in the incident (4).
Some 26 million people across France were placed under a red heatwave warning on Monday, including the greater Paris region (5).
The A6 motorway linking Paris with Lyon and southern France was partially closed, and high-speed train services were disrupted, though rail services later resumed following cable repairs.
How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
