Savoie: 22-year-old volunteer firefighter dies during wildfire operation in Planay

Planay – 08.07.2026: On the night of July 8, a young volunteer firefighter died during operations against a wildfire in Savoie. The 22-year-old Caporal Baptiste Gerfaud-Valentin from the Centre de secours d’Albertville, authorities said, was struck by a falling block of rock; the emergency doctor could only pronounce death. The accident occurred in steep, rocky terrain above Planay, where several crews had been fighting a vegetation fire since the evening.

Emergency personnel reported difficult conditions with gusts of wind, heat and unstable slopes. According to the Prefecture of Savoie, the terrain was characterized by loose rock and inclines that deteriorated as the night progressed. An on-site command coordinated firefighting and the securing of the crews. In the morning, the prefect inspected the situation. Colleagues of the deceased said they were deeply shocked; the young Caporal was regarded as a committed and experienced volunteer at his station.

The public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation to clarify the exact circumstances. Specialists from the Gendarmerie and the relevant security services are examining how the rockfall occurred and whether topographical, meteorological or organizational factors played a role. The aim is also to draw possible lessons for operations in similarly exposed terrain. According to authorities, the next of kin were informed; they asked that their privacy be respected.

The Savoie department has been under elevated wildfire risk for days. The local rescue service SDIS 73 had put additional forces on standby to quickly contain vegetation fires. In alpine areas, the combination of dryness, steep gradients and loose rock makes the teams’ work more difficult: fall and rockslide risks must be weighed with securing teams, observation posts and temporary withdrawals. At night, units relied on hand tools, hose lines and targeted extinguishing actions, as air support is only limitedly possible in darkness.

The death of the young firefighter prompted great sympathy in the community and among aid organizations. Representatives from administration and rescue services paid tribute to the work of volunteers, who carry a substantial part of firefighting in rural areas. Authorities called on the public to exercise caution, especially when dealing with open fires and during activities in the mountains. Investigations are ongoing; further information will be provided by the responsible authorities after evaluation of the initial interviews and technical analyses.