France, July 21 -- More than 2,000 hectares of the Fontainebleau Forest have been left scorched by two major fires, devastating habitats and raising concerns over the long-term future of one of Europe's richest biodiversity reserves.

On her first visit to the affected area since the fires, Sophie David, an officer with France's National Forestry Office, found a landscape transformed.

Charred trees stretch into the distance, while burnt vegetation and pine needles crunch underfoot. In areas normally filled with birdsong, there is now little sound.

"Usually, I say 'welcome to the Fontainebleau Forest'. Today, I find it a little difficult to welcome you," David told RFI.

"The first sight is very stark because, in a place where we used to...