Major fire near Rochefort-du-Gard: truck blaze ignites vegetation fire – A9 temporarily closed

Rochefort-du-Gard – 05.07.2026: A vegetation fire that broke out after a truck caught fire on the A9 motorway affected large areas in the Gard department on 4 July 2026. Dense plumes of smoke spread over the surroundings, the motorway was closed over a wide area and traffic was locally diverted. According to authorities, the flames spread rapidly through dry scrub and bush.

The Gard prefecture and the departmental fire and rescue service mobilized substantial resources on the ground and in the air on Friday. Dozens of emergency vehicles and around one hundred firefighters were on site, supported by several water-dropping aircraft and helicopters. Their aim was to stop the flames at natural and artificial barriers and to protect residential areas on the outskirts of Rochefort-du-Gard.

Initial estimates indicate that several dozen hectares of vegetation burned; local media report figures between about 40 and 60 hectares. The A9 was completely closed northbound between Remoulins and Roquemaure, and southbound there were long traffic jams and temporary blockages. The reopening took place in sections as hotspots were extinguished and visibility and the roadway were safe again. Emergency services escorted traffic in convoys where necessary.

The fire department emphasized that the quick and coordinated action on the ground and from the air was crucial to preventing the flames from spreading to inhabited areas. Individual houses were evacuated as a precaution or actively protected. According to current knowledge there were no fatalities; reports of injuries were not available on Saturday morning. The prefecture maintained protective and traffic measures into the evening and advised residents to keep windows closed and to keep driveways clear for emergency vehicles.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a truck fire on the motorway section, whose heat and sparks ignited nearby scrub. Against the background of ongoing drought and high temperatures, the risk of spread was increased; the authorities had already warned of elevated risk and classified several zones as particularly fire-prone. Across France numerous departments were listed with increased wildfire risk for the weekend.

Investigations into the cause and course of the truck fire are ongoing. In parallel, the prefecture announced additional traffic controls and safety advice for drivers, including a strict ban on stopping in fire-prone sections, a smoking ban near vegetation and refraining from any open fires. Firefighting teams remain in the area with follow-up crews to combat hotspots and prevent re-ignition. The situation continues to be closely monitored.