France battles spreading wildfires as nearly 1,900 hectares burn

Two forest fires in France’s Fontainebleau forest continued to spread overnight, burning a combined 1,920 hectares, while authorities arrested two people suspected of deliberately starting the first blaze, broadcaster BFMTVreported on Tuesday.

Around 600 firefighters remained deployed as crews continued efforts to contain the fires.

Firefighters said the first blaze, which broke out on Sunday, burned around 1,500 hectares, while the second scorched between 300 and 400 hectares.

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called for “very harsh sentences” for those responsible for deliberately starting wildfires, saying confirmed arsonists should face “very severe penalties”, while those suffering from pyromania should receive medical treatment.

French authorities said 59 people have been arrested across the country since the start of the fire season on suspicion of deliberately starting wildfires. Two of those arrests were linked to the Fontainebleau fire.

A railway line in southern France remains disrupted following the Trevillach wildfire in the Pyrenees-Orientales region.