Fire hits forest and affects highway and trains near Paris

French authorities sent two firefighting planes to try to contain the flames on Sunday. According to The Guardian, the fire started in the late afternoon and was described by authorities as "very virulent" and of an "exceptional scale".

Flames advanced quickly and had already burned more than 800 hectares, according to those responsible for the operation. The fire continued to spread early on Monday, on a travel weekend marked by intense heat.

Traffic on the A6, the main highway on the north-south axis of France, had sections partially closed. The interruption affected the flow of vehicles in the region and required route adjustments during the busiest period.

Circulation of high-speed trains was also impacted, with delays of up to six hours. The SNCF reported on Sunday night that delays affected trips arriving or leaving Gare de Lyon station, in Paris.

The firefighting operation mobilized around 400 firefighters and included helicopters and an observation aircraft. "The goal is to save lives and property," Eric Brocardi told The Guardian.

Planes had to suspend water and retardant releases at dusk on Sunday. Without this air support, other locations would have already been evacuated, said Olivier Compta, who coordinated the operation.

Around 15 homes were evacuated in the village of Vaudoue, according to the Seine-et-Marne fire service. Teams were also working to protect other cities and villages close to the affected area.

The fire occurred two days before the national holiday of July 14th, the Fall of the Bastille. The proximity of the date has increased concerns about travel and safety in tourist areas around Paris.

The Paris region and other parts of France have faced successive heat waves since May, with record temperatures in European countries. Estimates cited by The Guardian point to thousands of excess deaths associated with heat in countries such as Belgium, the United Kingdom, France and Spain.

Scientist group World Weather Attribution has assessed that June's heatwaves would be "virtually impossible" without climate change. The assessment was cited in the context of the increase in extreme events during the European summer.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said forest fires have already consumed 17,000 hectares in France this year. According to him, after consolidating the data, the total should reach 25,000 hectares, double that recorded in the same period in 2025.

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