Major fire erupts near Charles de Gaulle as runways close

Travellers using Paris Charles de Gaulle this evening are dealing with changes to access around the airport after a major fire broke out nearby, closing the airport’s RER station and forcing two runways to shut as a precaution. Flights have continued operating, but the emergency is still ongoing and the huge plume of black smoke has spread across northern Paris. 

The fire began at around 03:00pm in Louvres, in the Val-d’Oise department, roughly 10 kilometres from Charles de Gaulle. Several vehicles caught fire in a car park within an activity zone near the local railway station, sending thick black smoke high above the area.  Around 80 firefighters were sent to the scene. Emergency services asked people to stay away while crews worked, with the cause of the fire not yet established. 

Two runways closed

Charles de Gaulle closed two runways temporarily because of the fire and the smoke. The closures were precautionary and did not stop air traffic, meaning the airport has continued operating despite the incident.  That is important for passengers because there is currently no confirmed report of widespread flight cancellations or delays caused by the blaze. The runway closures should not be interpreted as an airport shutdown, the more direct transport problem has been on the ground.

The Aéroport Charles-de-Gaulle 2 RER station was also closed as part of the emergency measures. Local transport services have also been affected while authorities deal with the fire.  For anyone travelling to or from the airport by public transport, the station closure means the normal route may not be available.

Cars caught in flames

The fire broke out in a car park used by people travelling through Charles de Gaulle, according to aviation reporting. Numerous vehicles were reportedly caught in the blaze, with images from the scene showing several cars engulfed in flames.  

That could leave some motorists with another problem once access to the site is restored: determining whether their vehicles have survived the fire and how they can retrieve them. The number of vehicles damaged has not been confirmed in the latest reports. There have also been no reports of deaths or serious injuries linked to the fire in the sources available at the time of writing.

VAL-D'OISE : Un impressionnant incendie est en cours au niveau d'un parking où stationnent de nombreux voyageurs, près de l'aéroport Roissy / Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Des dizaines de véhicules sont concernés (TF1).pic.twitter.com/aepvhJu3iz

— Infos Françaises (@InfosFrancaises) August 11, 2026

Smoke visible from Paris

The scale of the fire has been particularly striking because of the enormous smoke column rising above Louvres. French reports said the plume could be seen from several kilometres away, including parts of Paris and La Défense. Images taken from aircraft and surrounding areas showed the smoke rising close to the airport. 

Local reports confirm that at 5:32pm that the fire was still burning and that firefighters remained at the scene. There was no confirmation in the latest report that the blaze had been brought under control. 

The continuing emergency is also why the precautionary measures around the airport remain significant. Authorities have not yet confirmed when the affected runways or railway station will reopen.

What passengers need to know

For passengers flying from Charles de Gaulle tonight, the airport remains operational and flights are continuing. The main confirmed travel issue is the closure of the airport’s RER station, rather than a suspension of flights. Anyone planning to reach the terminals by train should check the latest transport information before leaving and allow extra time if an alternative route is required. 

Passengers who have left vehicles at the affected car park may also need to wait for authorities to confirm when the site can be accessed. The fire is outside the airport itself, in Louvres, but close enough to have prompted measures at one of Europe’s major aviation hubs. There is still no confirmed explanation for how the fire started. For now, Charles de Gaulle is still receiving and sending flights, but travellers arriving by rail are dealing with a closed airport station while firefighters continue tackling the blaze nearby