Area for Walkers & Holidaymakers

Hiking and camping safely during the fire season

Mountains closed on high-risk days, fires prohibited within 200 metres of woodland, and survival tips should smoke appear: what you need to know before setting off for a walk, a bivouac or a camping trip in a high-risk area — for your own safety, and for the forest’s.

Things to bear in mind before setting off Open mountain ranges?

Content verified — July 2026 Forest Fires Association

Key information for you

The 4 key messages to bear in mind for your profile.

The evening before, two checks The next day’s forest weather forecast AND the prefectural map showing access to the mountain ranges. Red day = mountain range closed = we change our plans.
No fires in the forest – full stop Campfires, open-flame stoves and cigarettes are prohibited in the woods and within 200 metres of them. Cold picnics and stoves are permitted only in designated areas.
See smoke? We move out of the way – we never run away from it The fire spreads with the wind and climbs the slopes faster than you can. You should move away at right angles to the wind, towards open ground and downhill.
112 with your GPS location The emergency call will pass on your contact details. Describe what you can see: smoke, colour, direction. Then make sure you can be contacted.

Your actions

In practical terms, here’s what you can do right now.

Check access to the mountain ranges How do prefectural lockdowns work? Where can you find a map of your department? What are the consequences? Check Reflexes in the great outdoors Spotting danger early, choosing a route of retreat, finding a safe haven: illustrated survival rules. View the details View today’s safety advisory Forest weather forecasts by department, for today and tomorrow. View Caught driving on the road The car’s interior offers protection — provided you follow the correct sequence. Read this before setting off on your summer journeys. View the details Fire, portable heater, cigarettes: the law What is prohibited everywhere, what is governed by local by-laws, and the fines that may be imposed. View the details Download the reporting app Alert the community after calling 112 — and receive alerts in your favourite areas. Download

Useful resources & contacts

The organisations and reference documents relevant to your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find out if a ski resort is open today?

The prefectures of the affected departments publish a map showing access to each mountain range on a daily basis (around 5–6 pm the previous day). Our page access to the mountain ranges lists the schemes department by department — Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Corsica, etc.

What are the risks of entering a closed mountain range?

A fine (usually €135), and above all a real danger: closures are determined by the day’s weather hazard level. A fire breaking out in a popular mountain range means dozens of walkers have to be evacuated, to the detriment of fire-fighting efforts.

Can a fire really catch up with a walker?

Yes: an average of 3 to 8 km/h when driven by the wind — the pace of a hiker — with much greater speeds on slopes (the fire climbs 2 to 10 times faster than it descends). Hence the rule: never run away in the direction of the fire; move away at right angles to it. Diagrams at the dedicated page.

Is camping permitted in summer?

Depending on the mountain range, many prohibit campfires during high-risk seasons (under prefectural decrees or park regulations). And everywhere, campfires are prohibited within 200 metres of woodland. Check with the park authorities or the local council, and make use of designated campfire areas where possible.

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The risk changes every day. Stay informed.

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