A wildfire described as of 'exceptional scale' continued to burn south of Paris for a second day on July 13, 2026, according to French authorities. The blaze erupted late on July 12 in a forested area, forcing some residents to evacuate their homes as the region experienced a heatwave.
Firefighting aircraft, including water bombers, were deployed to contain the flames. The French fire service reported that the fire had spread rapidly due to dry conditions and high temperatures, which exceeded 35°C in parts of the Île-de-France region.
As of July 13, no casualties had been reported, but the fire had consumed several hundred hectares of forest. Local officials warned that the situation remained critical, with strong winds complicating efforts to control the blaze.
The fire is the latest in a series of wildfires affecting southern Europe this summer, linked to a prolonged heatwave. French authorities urged residents to stay vigilant and follow evacuation orders.
