More than 30 fire hotspots in Gard since Friday: Prefecture warns of heightened wildfire risk

Nîmes – 06.07.2026: The fire service of the Gard department (SDIS 30) has reported and fought more than 30 fire hotspots since Friday. Most fires were brought under control quickly before they developed into large-scale wildfires. Decisive factors were early alerts, the rapid deployment of water-dropping aircraft and helicopters, and well-drilled ground crews. Authorities nevertheless describe the situation as tense in view of the ongoing drought and mid-summer temperatures.

According to the prefecture, up to 150 firefighters were on duty at the same time depending on the situation. In several cases Canadair aircraft and helicopters were used to cool the fire edges and slow the spread. Where fires approached residential areas, incident commanders ordered precautionary evacuations and temporary road closures. There was initially no information on injuries; the prefecture emphasizes that the protection of human life and critical infrastructure is the priority.

Authorities attribute a large share of the fire starts to human activities – for example outdoor work, improper disposal of embers, or sparks from machinery. In the department stricter rules apply during the current season: open fires in forests and their edge zones are prohibited, and certain forestry and field work is restricted depending on the danger level. Violations can result in fines and criminal consequences if negligence is established.

Operationally, Gard relies on the nationwide-activated strategy of large-scale initial attacks. The centre opérationnel départemental coordinates the shifting of forces between municipalities so that new fire hotspots can be dealt with quickly. This tactic, refined in France after the severe fire seasons of recent years, aims to extinguish small fires in their infancy before wind and topography drive them.

Caution and reporting discipline remain central for the public. Anyone who sees smoke or flames should immediately call emergency number 18 or 112, keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles, and follow instructions from police and fire services. Stays and activities in particularly vulnerable forest and scrub areas may be temporarily prohibited; corresponding signage and notices from the prefecture must be observed.

The situation in Gard is part of a broader wave of fires in early July 2026 in southern France, which has also affected neighboring departments. While mop-up operations and fire watches continue, the prefecture and SDIS 30 warn that even small lapses can have significant consequences under the current conditions.