On Saturday 4 July 2026, at around 3.15 pm, a forest fire broke out in the municipality of Rochefort-du-Gard (Gard), following a fire involving a heavy goods vehicle travelling on the A9 motorway. As a result of a very strong wind, the flames quickly spread to the surrounding vegetation, threatening homes.
40 hectares engulfed by flames
At 5.00 pm, the Gard fire service reported that there were approximately 40 hectares burnt. To tackle the fire, exceptional resources were deployed:
- 8 water-bombing aircraft
- 40 forest fire-fighting vehicles
- 200 firefighters deployed
- Reinforcements from neighbouring departments
Involvement of the authorities and safety instructions
The municipality of Rochefort-du-Gard has activated its Local Emergency Plan (PCS), whilst the prefecture has introduced the Departmental Operations Centre (COD) to coordinate operations.
The authorities are urging local residents to:
- Do not go to the scene of the incident so as not to hinder the emergency services
- Facilitating access for the emergency services
- Strictly adhere to the fire bans and the preventative measures during this period of high risk.
A call for vigilance and responsibility
The Gard Fire Service stresses the need for a increased vigilance in light of the risk of fire, particularly given the current weather conditions. They also stress the importance of not sharing unverified information and of following only official guidance.
The situation remains under close watch, and updates will be provided as the fire develops.