Donations for the Fontainebleau Forest surpass one million euros

Fontainebleau – 31.07.2026: Just over two weeks after the fires in the Fontainebleau Forest, the fundraising campaign organized by the Fondation du Patrimoine has surpassed the one-million-euro mark. The collection is thus approaching its initial target of two million euros. The money is intended for urgent safety work, the restoration of damaged areas and better protection against future fires.

According to the state forestry agency Office national des forêts, around 2,000 hectares were affected by the fires. This corresponds to just under one tenth of the forest massif, which covers more than 22,000 hectares southeast of Paris. Four biological protection reserves as well as areas with visitor facilities were also affected. The fires are under control but have not yet been fully extinguished, the forestry agency said.

The Fondation du Patrimoine launched the campaign on 16 July. Its partners include the forestry agency, the city and the Chateau de Fontainebleau, the Seine-et-Marne department, and the Ile-de-France region. As a first step, damaged areas are to be secured and further risks to people and nature limited. The plan is then to promote natural forest regeneration and replant areas where stands cannot recover on their own.

Additional funds will be directed towards protecting biodiversity and preventing vegetation fires. It is not yet possible to say how long regeneration will take. The region points out that a severely damaged forest ecosystem often takes years or decades to recover. This involves not only trees, but also soils, habitats and resilience to dry periods.

The first fires broke out on 12 July at several locations in the Trois-Pignons state forest, including near Bois Rond and along the A6 motorway. The following day, further fire outbreaks occurred in the Faisanderie area. Emergency services secured people and buildings in Achères-la-Forêt, Le Vaudoué and Noisy-sur-École. Firefighters, civil protection, police, gendarmerie, the army, forestry workers and farmers took part in the firefighting operations.

The Seine-et-Marne department and the Ile-de-France region have pledged financial support. The region is linking its commitment to measures to adapt forests to increasing drought and a higher fire risk.

The state forest, managed by the Office national des forêts, is one of the most important natural and recreational areas in the greater Paris region because of its rocky landscapes, hiking trails, climbing areas and rare species. Investigations into the causes and possible responsibility are ongoing; according to the forestry agency, it is supporting them with technical expertise.