Tuesday evening, the Seine-et-Marne prefect announced the two fires ravaging the Fontainebleau forest were contained after burning more than 2,000 hectares. Six people were detained, including a volunteer firefighter suspected of deliberately starting a blaze.
The main fire broke out Sunday afternoon near Noisy-sur-École along the A6. A second blaze appeared Monday afternoon near Fontainebleau. On Tuesday, 850 firefighters supported by Canadair planes and helicopters contained the flames that burned 2,050 hectares out of the 25,000-hectare massif.
Prefect Pierre Ory stated the fires are « fixed », meaning blocked within their perimeter, but extinction operations will continue for several days. The A6 motorway remains closed in both directions.
Six men aged 18 to 51 were detained. Two admitted causing fire starts, including an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter who confessed to using a lighter and gasoline. Prosecutor Diane Ngomsik lifted two detentions for lack of sufficient evidence.
A security civil military member was injured in a vehicle accident during the response. Helicopters drew water from the Grand Canal of the Château de Fontainebleau, located three kilometres from one fire front.
