Firefighting planes scrambled from south of France to tackle huge wildfire near Paris

A massive wildfire is raging through the Fontainebleau forest, located south-east of Paris, France. The fire, described as being of "exceptional scale", started on Sunday afternoon and has already spread across approximately 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of forest. The blaze has put nearby villages at risk, forcing the evacuation of around 900 homes.

Firefighters have been scrambled from the south of France to help tackle the fire, which has also disrupted road and rail links. The forest, a former royal hunting preserve, is now a popular tourist destination, but its proximity to Paris has made the fire a cause for concern. The French authorities are working to contain the blaze, but the situation remains precarious.

The fire is unusual in its proximity to Paris, with officials warning that it poses a significant threat to the surrounding area. The evacuation of 900 homes is a testament to the gravity of the situation, and the deployment of firefighting planes from the south of France is a sign of the scale of the challenge facing the authorities. The situation is being closely monitored, with updates expected as the fire continues to spread.