Planes sent to tackle wildfires of 'exceptional scale' near Paris
Firefighting planes and helicopters have been deployed to combat a large, virulent wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest near Paris. The blaze has disrupted major transport routes and occurred during a period of record-breaking heatwaves across Europe.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in regions previously considered less vulnerable due to climate change.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, A wildfire burns in Noisy-sur-Ecole near Fontainebleau, southern Paris
Two firefighting planes have been rushed to the Paris region to tackle a large wildfire south of the French capital.
The Fontainebleau forest blaze, described by officials as "virulent" and of "exceptional scale", partially closed the country's main north-south highway, disrupting traffic during the first major weekend getaway of the summer.
Early on Monday, officials said the fire had raced across 800 hectares and was still spreading in the forest, about 40 miles (60km) south-east of the city of Paris.
The Paris region is suffering through its third heatwave this year during a summer in which temperature records have broken in several countries across Europe.
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