The famous Fontainebleau forest south of Paris was hit by a fire that spread on an exceptional scale overnight Sunday-Monday, as the country experiences its second heatwave of the year, prompting authorities to deploy two Canadair water-bombing aircraft.

In addition to two helicopters and a ground reconnaissance plane, more than 500 firefighters are expected to arrive during the day with all reinforcements, according to fire services.

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Columns of smoke were seen rising above the forest from 20 kilometers away, as fire trucks made their way to the fire sites. Farmers joined the firefighting efforts by mounting water tanks on their tractors.

Controlling the fire

Two Dash aircraft were sent from southern France to help control the fire, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez headed to Fontainebleau on Monday morning. The town is known for its royal-era castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon, had covered about 800 hectares by Monday morning in the Fontainebleau forest, which spans over 20,000 hectares and lies 60 kilometers southeast of Paris. "800 hectares, it will be visible from above... we will weep for our forest," said the first deputy mayor of the village of Vaudoué, Didier Boguinard, during the night, adding "I have never seen anything like this."