A three-hectare area of forest in flames in Barbizon

Nearly eighty firefighters are fighting the flames. This Sunday, around 12:50, a fire broke out in the forest of Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne), on the territory of the town of Barbizon. The plot concerned, numbered 711, is very popular with visitors. The origin of the flames is unknown at this time.

According to the staff of the firefighters of Seine-et-Marne, a single start of fire would be at the origin of the fire. "The fire evolves in an area of 3 ha. But that doesn't mean the whole area is on fire," said one officer. To overcome the blaze, 78 firefighters and 34 machines were dispatched to the scene.

Reinforcements expected to control the fire

Fire is complex to reach. The area concerned is rocky. "It's a difficult intervention. The machines cannot go as close as possible to the flames. Of the 34 vehicles, 12 are specialized in fighting forest fires. The luck that the firefighters have in this disaster is the speed of the wind, very low. "The speed of progression of the fire is very low," confirms the fire brigade officer.

A Civil Security helicopter, which took off from Issy-les-Moulineaux (Hauts-de-Seine) flew over the scene. On board, an officer of the Seine-et-Marnais fire brigade was assessing the situation. "He was specially trained for aerial observation. The aircraft went around the fire to locate it and anticipate the axis of progression of the flames. »

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No casualties have yet been reported. The police and gendarmerie have evacuated the area and the four car parks serving it have been closed. This Sunday evening, firefighters had not yet brought the blaze under control. Additional reinforcements had to arrive to position themselves at the very front of the fire to try to overcome it. Firefighters fear a change in weather, especially the lifting of a stronger wind, possibly accompanied by a change in direction.

"Nine out of ten man-made fires"

This Saturday, already, around 13:30 p.m., already, a fire had occurred in the forest of Fontainebleau, in the road of Sablons. No less than 800 m² had gone up in smoke. Three machines were needed to overcome the flames.

On the side of the staff of the firefighters seine-et-marnais, it is forbidden to give the causes of the start of fire, prerogative of the police and justice. But our officer observes that "the area (which burns this Sunday) is very busy. Nine out of ten fires are man-made. We remind you that you absolutely must not make a fire in the forest. On the side of the police, it was estimated this Sunday evening that it was "still too early" to determine the causes of the fire.