Planes sent to tackle wildfires of 'exceptional scale' near Paris

Two firefighting planes have been rushed to the Paris area to battle a substantial wildfire south of the French capital, officials said. The Fontainebleau wood blaze was described by officials as “virulent” and of “exceptional scale,” partially shutting the nation’s main north‑south highway and disrupting travel during the typical summer getaway. Early Monday, authorities reported that the fire had raced across 800 hectares and was still spreading in the forest about 40 miles (60 km) southeast of Paris. The Paris region is enduring its third heatwave this year, part of a summer in which temperature records have been broken in several European countries. It marked the first time firefighting planes have been sent from the usually drier and hotter southern part of the country to tackle blazes in the Paris region, said Eric Brocardi, of France's nationalist federation of firefighters. Two firefighting helicopters and an observation craft were also deployed, he added, according to Agence‑France‑Presse. “The purpose is to prevention lives and property,” he was quoted as saying. Read the full story at BBC News →