Albertville prepares memorial service for firefighter killed on duty

Albertville – 11/07/2026: A memorial service for volunteer firefighter Baptiste Gerfaud-Valentin is scheduled in Albertville for Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The 22-year-old died on Wednesday, July 8, while responding to a vegetation fire in the municipality of Le Planay in the Savoie department. He was a member of the Albertville Fire and Rescue Center.

According to the Savoie prefecture, the firefighter was struck by a boulder on the slopes of the Tour du Merle on the morning of July 8. His death was confirmed at the scene. The Gendarmerie confirmed that the young man died while fighting the vegetation fire.

The fire had been developing since June 24 in difficult-to-access terrain above Le Planay. According to the prefecture, it was sparked by a thunderstorm. Initially, the fire spread slowly before wind and burning material significantly accelerated its spread on July 7. Due to the operation and the hazardous situation, the RD 915 and RD 91D departmental roads were temporarily closed.

Baptiste Gerfaud-Valentin served as a volunteer firefighter at the Albertville center. The death of the young corporal prompted an outpouring of sympathy among fire services in Savoie and beyond. The prefecture expressed its condolences to his family, colleagues and all emergency personnel deployed.

The announced ceremony in Albertville is intended to pay final respects to the deceased. Details of the precise schedule, the location within the city and any possible attendees from the state and emergency services had not initially been provided in the communications currently available. For relatives and the firefighting community, remembrance of the young man who died in the line of duty is the central focus.

The case once again draws attention to the particular risks of vegetation and forest fires in Alpine terrain. In addition to flames, smoke and changing wind conditions, unstable slopes and falling rocks can make the work of emergency personnel considerably more difficult. Authorities repeatedly assessed the danger at the fire site during the ongoing operation.

The investigation into the exact circumstances of the fatal accident is being handled by the relevant authorities. What is certain is that Baptiste Gerfaud-Valentin died while responding to the fire in Le Planay. The memorial service in Albertville on July 15 will now be the central public moment of farewell in Savoie.