Fontainebleau – 17/07/2026: Following the severe fires in the Foret de Fontainebleau, attention is turning to securing the burned areas and the long-term restoration of the natural landscape. Since 12 July, two fires have affected more than 2,000 hectares of vegetation in the Seine-et-Marne department. Emergency services have brought the fires under control, but they have not yet been fully extinguished.
On 15 July, the Gendarmerie nationale stated that extensive measures to secure the affected areas were still under way. Around 100 gendarmes supported firefighters, directed traffic, protected evacuated areas and prevented entry into restricted zones. At times, around 800 firefighters were deployed. According to the authorities, both fire sites remained contained, but renewed spread must still be prevented.
The cause of the fires is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Fontainebleau public prosecutor’s office. The Paris investigative division of the gendarmerie and the Fontainebleau investigation brigade are jointly examining how the fires started. Three people were arrested; according to the gendarmerie, two of them admitted involvement in two separate fire outbreaks. Any criminal consequences have therefore not yet been determined.
The fire has struck a particularly important forest area in the greater Paris region. The Foret de Fontainebleau lies around 60 kilometres southeast of the capital and is a widely used natural and recreational area. The loss of large, contiguous areas of vegetation presents forest management, soil protection and the restoration of ecological habitats with a long-term challenge. Expert assessments of the damage will be crucial before specific reforestation efforts can begin.
On 16 July, President Emmanuel Macron announced a joint donation platform during a visit to the emergency site in Noisy-sur-Ecole. The Fondation du patrimoine, the Office national des forets and the city of Fontainebleau are to be involved. The aim is to pool private and public support for restoration, replanting and improved protection of the forest.
The Seine-et-Marne departmental council is also contributing to the financing of a fundraising appeal. According to the department, the funds are intended to support projects that take account of the massif’s ecological richness and make the forest more resilient to future climate pressures. The focus is therefore not only on planting new trees, but also on adapting to growing fire risks.
For the public, access restrictions and instructions from emergency services remain binding. Authorities stress that burned areas should not be entered because of possible remaining hot spots, damaged trees and ongoing investigations. The immediate response to the danger has therefore not yet been completed, while planning for restoration is already under way.
Sources
- Gendarmerie nationale
- Seine-et-Marne Department
- Le Monde