Fontainebleau forest partially reopens after wildfires

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The forest of Fontainebleau in France partially reopened to the public on August 22, 2026, after being closed for over a month due to wildfires that began in mid-July. Firefighters continued to manage remaining embers across 4,000 hectares of the 20,000-hectare site, which saw 2,000 hectares decimated by the initial blazes. While local authorities, including fire service head Olivier Conta, authorized access to 80 percent of the forest due to cooler weather, the National Forestry Office warned that the area faces a recovery period spanning several decades.

Consequences

Visitors remain subject to strict safety restrictions, such as prohibitions on smoking and barbecues, to prevent further ignition in the fragile ecosystem. Continued closures will affect specific areas including the Trois Pignons and woodland near Barbizon as foresters work to address the risk of falling branches and dying trees.

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