The prefecture of Gard placed two forest zones under a rare ‘Rouge Incendie Très Sévère’ (red very-severe fire risk) alert for Sunday, 5 July, effectively banning all public access and motorised traffic, including on departmental roads D 148 and D 161. Official guidance published on the prefecture’s website warns of fines up to €750 for violations. Commercial shuttle companies that serve popular canoeing sites along the Cèze river cancelled departures, and tour operators redirected hiking groups to lower-risk areas in Lozère. The logistics sector is less affected, but carriers using mountain passes should verify whether escorts or detours are required. Local authorities have deployed drones for early smoke detection and pre-positioned gendarmes for rapid evacuation. While the restrictions are temporary (review every 24 hours), businesses planning team-building events or incentive trips in Gard need fallback venues and transport. The episode reflects a broader shift toward proactive closures to minimise firefighting costs. Mobility planners should integrate departmental fire-risk maps into journey-management software and communicate the legal implications of entering restricted areas to travelling staff.
Source: Préfecture du Gard
