French authorities have placed an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter under formal investigation on suspicion of starting a devastating wildfire in the Fontainebleau Forest, just south of Paris. The blaze, which began on Sunday, has destroyed more than 2,000 hectares of woodland and forced around 1,000 people to flee their homes.
Initial Confession Retracted
The teenage volunteer initially confessed to "setting fire to twigs with a lighter and petrol," according to Prosecutor Diane Ngomsik, as reported by the BBC. However, he later retracted his statement. Another 18-year-old has also been placed under formal investigation, with authorities determining whether to bring charges, BFMTV reported.
President Macron Vows No Leniency
During a visit to the affected area on Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron declared there would be no leniency for arsonists. He noted that at least 10% of the Fontainebleau Forest, which spans over 22,000 hectares, had been burned. The state-owned forest is home to the Palace and Park of Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Fire Contained but Forest Closed
Fire crews continue to work on extinguishing the blaze, though it is now contained. The Fontainebleau tourism website warns that the forest and surrounding areas remain closed to the public, urging people to limit travel and follow safety instructions to allow emergency services to operate safely.
Heatwave Fuels Wildfires Across Europe
France has experienced a series of heatwaves this summer, leading to nearly 11,000 fires. Macron stated that this year has seen the most fires in France since World War Two. The country's main north-south motorway, which runs through parts of the forest, has been partially closed since the fire broke out.
Climate change is raising temperatures, impacting water supplies, and increasing wildfire outbreaks globally. Europe is the fastest warming continent, according to the Copernicus climate service. In Spain, at least 13 people died in wildfires in Andalusia. Meanwhile, in the UK, a large wildfire in the Scottish Highlands prompted evacuations in the Cairngorms National Park as firefighters entered their third day of battling the blaze.
