Wildfire Rages in Fontainebleau Forest Near Paris

Hundreds of firefighters are battling a wildfire that has scorched hundreds of hectares of the historic Fontainebleau forest south of Paris, a former royal hunting estate now popular with tourists and nature lovers.

The blaze forced the evacuation of around 900 homes as France issued a red heatwave alert with dry, windy conditions fueling the flames.

Police have arrested two people on suspicion of arson as the investigation into the fire's origin proceeds.

The Fontainebleau fire is one of several burning across Europe as the continent endures its third major heatwave since May.