AVON, France (AP) — A fire raging in the historic and much-visited Fontainebleau forest south of Paris on Monday prompted evacuations of some residential neighborhoods and disrupted train and highway traffic.
It was among several wildfires in western Europe as the region bakes under its third red-alert heat wave this year.
In Spain, 10 people were still unaccounted for Monday from a fire that ripped through a remote southern expat community last week, killing 13 people in one of the country's deadliest blazes.
The Fontainebleau forest fire is unusual for its proximity to the French capital — about 70 kilometers (42 miles). The region hosts the Fontainebleau Chateau favored by Napoleon and is popular with visitors from Paris and beyond.
Two water-dumping planes were deployed over the area along with hundreds of firefighters, regional fire service spokesperson Paul Laurain told public broadcaster France-Info.
Trains to and from the bustling Gare de Lyon train station were disrupted late Sunday but were returning to normal Monday morning. A section of the busy A6 highway leading southeast of Paris was shut down because of fire risk.
Large fires in southern France have already scorched thousands of hectares (acres) since last week, disrupting the Tour de France cycling race and stretching firefighting resources.
France is experiencing the peak of its third heat wave of the summer, with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit ) across western and central areas and around 37 C (98 F) in Paris.
A 93 year-old British national died Sunday in a hospital from injuries sustained in the Los Gallardos wildfire, elevating the death toll to 13.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit the site of the fire on Monday. Regional authorities said the blaze was contained Sunday after affecting some 70 square kilometers (27 square miles) of forest and farmland — larger than the size of Manhattan.
Spain is experiencing extreme heat, which combined with wind and little rainfall is creating the ideal conditions for small wildfires to grow unchecked.
Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
This version corrects the age of a British national who died Sunday.
A view of a burnt area affected by wildfires in Bedar, near Almeria, Spain, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)
Smoke billows rise into the sky during wildfires at the historic Fontainebleau forest, about 60 km (37 miles) south of Paris, France, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 13, 2026--
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, has officially closed submissions for its 2027 awards cycle, receiving an unprecedented 10,233 entries from 177 countries across its six categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260713519403/en/
Now in its 18 th year, the Prize continues to attract a diverse and growing pool of small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations and high schools developing solutions that improve lives, particularly in vulnerable and underserved communities.
This year’s submissions point to a growing emphasis on resilience, adaptability and systems-level impact. Across regions, applicants are addressing complex global challenges through practical, community-focused solutions. From AI-enabled healthcare and agricultural technologies to decentralised energy, improved groundwater access, and circular economy approaches, applicants are developing solutions that expand access to essential services and foster more inclusive progress.
Submissions increased by 32% compared to the previous cycle, underscoring sustained global momentum for scalable, locally led innovation.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “This historic level of participation reflects the growing global demand for practical solutions that build resilience, strengthen essential systems and deliver lasting impact. This year’s applicants have shown how AI, adaptability, innovation and local leadership can come together to address urgent challenges in communities where access, affordability and reliability remain limited. Guided by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize will continue to support pioneers whose solutions are practical in purpose, grounded in service, and measured by the positive difference they make in people’s lives.”
Over two-thirds of submissions originated from developing and emerging economies, with particularly strong participation from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Kenya and the UAE. Developed markets, including the USA and UK, also showed robust engagement, highlighting the Prize’s expanding reach across diverse innovation ecosystems.
The Climate Action category received the highest number of submissions (2,505), followed by Food (2,261), Health (1,807), Global High Schools (1,710), Energy (994), and Water (956).
Across categories, key trends emerged:
Following the close of submissions, the Prize enters its evaluation phase. All entries will undergo an independent review and due diligence process, followed by assessment from a Selection Committee of international experts. Final winners will be selected by the Jury in September 2026.
Winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 12 January 2027. Each organisational category winner will receive US $1 million, while six high schools—representing global regions—will each receive US $150,000 to implement or expand their projects. Each organisational finalist will receive US $150,000, while each high school finalist will receive US $25,000.
To date, through its 139 winners, the Prize has positively impacted more than 411 million lives worldwide, reinforcing its role as a leading platform for advancing inclusive and sustainable development.
About the Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges.
A tribute to the legacy and vision of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize aims to drive sustainable development worldwide.
Each year, across the Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools categories, the Prize rewards organisations and high schools for groundbreaking solutions that advance sustainable progress and strengthen resilience for communities.
Through its 139 winners, in 18 years, the Prize has positively impacted over 411 million lives across the globe, inspiring innovators to amplify their impact and turn ambition into lasting progress.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies.
*Source:AETOSWire
Zayed Sustainability Prize Closes 2027 Submissions with Strong Global Participation (Photo: AETOSWire)
