France-Forest Fires
France-Forest Fires
Dateline : July 14, 2026
Location : France
Duration : 1'35
Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne department, Ile-de-France region, France - July 14, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of firefighter extinguishing fire
2. SOUNDBITE (French) firefighter (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"It's still hard to say, because the fire keeps changing. Everyday it evolves differently. Yesterday, this place had no fire when other places were burning. These re-ignition spots must be extinguished, to prevent debris on the ground from sparking new fires again. Otherwise, the flames could spread further. We're operating in this area, and as soon as smoke is detected, we'll immediately remove the burning debris underneath and put out the fire."
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
3. Firefighters extinguishing fire
++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
4. Various of smoke rising from Fontainebleau forest
5. SOUNDBITE (French) firefighter (name not given) (starting with shot 4/ending with shot 6):
"There are moss and tree roots down below. The fire will spread along the ground. Look, it's all moss down below, so we can only use a rake to scrape away the top layer of soil, then extinguish the flames with water."
6. Firefighter showing moss to reporter
7. Smoke rising from forest
More than 2,000 hectares of France’s Fontainebleau Forest have been consumed by fire, and the blaze is still spreading, local authorities said Tuesday.
An initial blaze on Sunday evening scorched about 1,600 hectares, while a second fire ignited Monday near the castle grounds and spread overnight, consuming another 450 hectares.
Preliminary investigations indicate the fire may have been set intentionally, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said Monday evening, as Paris prosecutors announced Tuesday that six suspects had been arrested.
Footage captured on Tuesday by a China Media Group (CMG) reporter shows that flames at a location have been extinguished, but thick smoke continue to rise from the scorched ground. The air is heavy with the smell of burning, and firefighters are working to detect and put out reignited flames.
A firefighter said the team could not guarantee whether the fire would be brought under control within the next two days.
"It's still hard to say, because the fire keeps changing. Everyday it evolves differently. Yesterday, this place had no fire when other places were burning. These re-ignition spots must be extinguished, to prevent debris on the ground from sparking new fires again. Otherwise, the flames could spread further. We're operating in this area, and as soon as smoke is detected, we'll immediately remove the burning debris underneath and put out the fire," he said.
Local authorities have also mobilized resources on an unprecedented scale to help advance the fire department's efforts. More than 850 firefighters are currently on the ground, supported by four water‑bombing aircraft and multiple helicopters. Firefighters said their top priority is to stop the fire from spreading further, though smoldering spots deep in the forest may continue to pose a threat even after the flames are brought under control.
"There are moss and tree roots down below. The fire will spread along the ground. Look, it's all moss down below, so we can only use a rake to scrape away the top layer of soil, then extinguish the flames with water," said the firefighter.
Local authorities said about 1,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated, with no casualties reported so far.
ID : 8489495
Published : 2026-07-15 15:01
Last Modified : 2026-07-15 18:27:38
Source : China Central Television (CCTV)
Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland
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