It couldn't get more absurd: A 19-year-old firefighter from France has confessed to starting the fire in the Fontainebleau forest. The fire is now under control, but not yet completely extinguished. Experts say it could take decades for Paris's "green lung" to recover.
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Volunteer firefighter started fire with gasoline and brushwood
Ten days have passed since the devastating wildfire in the forest of Fontainebleau A fire broke out. According to several media reports, a 19-year-old man has now confessed to the arson. He is a member of the volunteer fire department with no prior convictions. The man admitted to using a lighter and gasoline to set fire to brushwood. Police and prosecutors have not yet released any information about the 19-year-old's motive. The news of the perpetrator's identity came as a shock to the more than 850 emergency responders in the region.
According to the Fontainebleau public prosecutor's office, the investigations revealed... A total of six suspects were taken into custody.Another suspect, aged 18, has since admitted to accidentally starting a fire with his discarded cigarette.
New heat wave reported: situation remains tense
The fire in Fontainebleau has been considered under control since last Wednesday, but the dry forest floor continues to smolder in many places. Isolated hotspots – so-called "zombie fires" – keep reigniting and can spread again. For this reason, hundreds of firefighters remain on standby.
The all-clear for the region is only foreseeable once the entire forest has experienced a heavy downpour. However, according to the current weather forecast, this is still a long way off: Rain is predicted for Fontainebleau at the end of July and beginning of August. Temperatures of up to 44 degrees have been reported..
Enormous damage to biodiversity
The massive fire destroyed more than 2.000 hectares – about ten percent of the entire forest. Around 1.000 people had to temporarily leave their homes, and 15.000 animal and plant species were affected by the disaster. Experts speak of enormous damage. one of the most important protected areas for biodiversity in Europe.
It is currently completely unclear how many animals did not survive the fire. A spokeswoman for the National Forestry Office (ONF) said that it was particularly difficult for reptiles, amphibians, and insects to escape the flames. in an interview with the French news portal RFIWhich populations have survived and to what extent they can return to their former habitat will have to be determined by forestry investigations.
The extent of the damage to vegetation is also not yet fully foreseeable: many trees that currently still have green leaves have been completely burned at the trunk and will most likely die, according to the ONF employee.
Das Problem dabei ist not only the loss of individual animal and plant species, but the damage to the complex ecosystem of the forest. Insects play a particularly important role in this, while the loss of vegetation further exacerbates the already severe problem of erosion. Invasive plant species could also spread more widely in the region.
It could take many years for the forest to fully recover from the fire – in some particularly affected areas even decades.
Forest closed, bouldering festival cancelled
Since the major fire, the Seine-et-Marne department has temporarily closed access to the Fontainebleau and Trois Pignons forest. Closed until July 31th (As of July 25th). Given the current situation, it is unlikely that visitors will be able to re-enter the area immediately afterwards.
The Women's Bouldering Festival Meanwhile, the organizers are taking action: In consultation with the national forestry office, they have cancelled their event scheduled for September. "Our priority is to protect the forest," the organizers stated. They added that it's also about leading by example.
Whether it's closed or not: Anyone who has planned a bouldering trip to Fontainebleau this year should rather find a different holiday destination – and give the forest the peace and quiet it needs right now.
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Credits cover photo: Secours de Seine-et-Marne (SDIS) 77