The famous Fontainebleau forest south of the French capital was hit by a fire that spread on an "exceptional scale" overnight Sunday-Monday, as the country experiences its second heatwave of the year.

Columns of smoke were seen rising above the forest 20 kilometers away, while fire trucks made their way to the fire sites.

Farmers joined the firefighting efforts by installing water tanks on the back of their tractors.

Two 'Dash' aircraft were sent from southern France to help control the fire, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez headed to Fontainebleau on Monday. The town, about 50 kilometers from Paris, is known for its royal-era castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Spokesman for the National Union of Firefighters Eric Brocard said: 'This is the first time such mechanisms have been used in the Paris region.'

ALERT - Authorities report a fire of 'exceptional' magnitude underway south of Paris. The #Fontainebleau forest is on fire, with more than 300 hectares already burned in Seine-et-Marne. For the first time in Île-de-France, water bomber planes have been… pic.twitter.com/YSbHJQv8XI

— Infos Françaises (@InfosFrancaises) July 12, 2026

Two helicopters were used to extinguish the fires and one ground reconnaissance aircraft, while 400 firefighters participated in the efforts.

The fire caused traffic to stop on part of the A6 motorway, the main artery leading to southeastern France which crosses the forest.

The fire, which started on Sunday, covered about 800 hectares by midnight, according to firefighters in the Seine-et-Marne department where the forest is located.

About 15 homes were evacuated, while firefighters were required to protect other homes late in the evening.

Colonel Olivier Compta, who leads the operations, explained: 'Without the planes, it would have been necessary to evacuate the villages of Noisy-sur-École and Vaudoué.'

France, particularly the Paris region, has been experiencing a scorching heatwave for days, increasing the risk of fires.