Fontainebleau forest fire spares château due to wind and layout

A forest fire that has burned over 2,000 hectares in the Forest of Fontainebleau since July 12 never threatened the Château de Fontainebleau, thanks to wind direction and the estate's configuration. The château, surrounded by gardens, wide alleys, and the Grand Canal created under Henri IV, was 3 km from one fire source but faced no serious danger as winds blew away from the building. Water-bombing helicopters refueled from the Grand Canal and the Carp Pond on July 13, leading to evacuation of the gardens and early closure of the château on July 14 due to heat and smoke. Seven stables' horses were evacuated to the Grand Parquet de Fontainebleau as a precaution. Marie-Christine Labourdette, president of the estate, did not activate a crisis cell but stayed in contact with the Préfecture for a potential artwork evacuation plan. The Fondation de France and Fondation du patrimoine launched donation appeals for the forests on July 15. The article also recounts the château's history under François I, who transformed the medieval building into a Renaissance structure with Italian artists like Rosso Fiorentino and Le Primatice, whose frescoes are partly preserved in the Galerie François I.