13/07/2026 18:49 - Internacionales
French firefighters are bravely battling an enormous forest fire just south of Paris, while a devastating heatwave sweeps across Europe. As reported by the news network BFMTV (a CNN affiliate) on July 13, 2026, more than 800 hectares of the historic Forest of Fontainebleau—a beloved natural retreat for Parisians and tourists alike—have burned.
As part of the monumental efforts to control the blaze, water-bombing aircraft have been scooping water directly from the Seine River. These crucial maneuvers are supplying ground brigades in hard-to-reach areas, showcasing remarkable coordination and bravery.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told the press that police are investigating whether the fire was deliberately set. Furthermore, Nuñez noted in a post on the social network X that other wildfires have also broken out in different parts of the country, urging vigilance and preparedness.
Wildfires are not entirely unusual in Europe, but the climate crisis is creating warmer and drier conditions, setting the stage for more intense fire seasons. These fires are occurring earlier in the year and with greater severity.
In much of France and Spain, an exceptionally wet winter left abundant vegetation that quickly turned into dry fuel as three consecutive heatwaves pushed temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius (104°F). This has caused a surge in large-scale fires, according to data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
This trend is likely to continue in the coming years, as Europe is the fastest-warming continent. Its temperatures are rising at more than twice the global average rate, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. However, awareness and modern firefighting tactics are improving to face these challenges.
Source: CNN en Español
Alfredo S. Quiroga
