Wildfires in Lower Austria Challenged Fire Departments

The areas affected by the forest fires were in difficult-to-access terrain near Gutenstein in the Wiener Neustadt district and near Hirschwang in the Reichenau an der Rax municipality in the Neunkirchen district. Helicopters from the Ministry of the Interior were also deployed.

Helicopter and Drone Deployed in Forest Fire in Gutenstein

A lengthy operation was underway in the Gutenstein area. Up to 300 members from about 20 volunteer fire departments - also from the neighboring districts of Baden and Neunkirchen - were involved, reported Klaus Stebal from the Lower Austria state command. Three helicopters supported the helpers "with targeted water drops from the air." According to operations manager Werner Mühlbauer, the forest fire was under control by late Tuesday evening. Extinguishing work continued during the night and early Wednesday morning. A drone with a thermal imaging camera was deployed for support. According to the fire department, the fire broke out in the Steinapiesting area and spread on two sides of a gorge. Extinguishing water was transported to the approximately two-hectare operation area using a tank shuttle service. The district command staff was convened to coordinate the helpers.

Lightning Strike Possible Cause of Forest Fire in Hirschwang

In Hirschwang, the flames broke out on the Mittagstein. A helicopter also conducted multiple water drops there. The spread of the fire was contained, and it was "quickly and efficiently" responded to, said district fire commander Josef Huber to APA late Tuesday afternoon. 90 volunteers were called up. The fire site was located in the area of the mountain peak, Huber reported. A lightning strike could have been the cause. The helpers set out on foot for the operation. The flames had started in Hirschwang not far from the spot where a massive forest fire broke out in 2021. An area of about 115 hectares was affected at that time, and almost 9,000 helpers were required in total.

(APA/Red)

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