Waldbrand in the Rax Mountains: Over 200 emergency services fight against flames!

Waldbrand in the Rax Mountains: Over 200 emergency services fight against flames!

On March 8, 2025, a large forest fire broke out in the Rax Mountains in the Neunkirchen district, the possible cause of which is a burning vehicle. The rapid spread of the fire is favored by strong winds and dry conditions, which prepares considerable difficulties for the emergency services on site. Over 200 emergency services are mobilized to combat the flames, including 14 fire departments with around 100 members and two trains from the disaster aid service, which include a total of 120 people. In addition, an air support team with 50 emergency services and two extinguishing helicopters from the Interior Ministry is available to support the extinguishing work. This information was provided by Tips.at

The fire was noticed on Saturday morning and spreads out in one of the steepest and difficult to access areas in the region, which is predominantly overgrown with pine. Difficulties mainly result from the strong wind, which also makes it difficult to extinguish the extinguishing work. State Councilor Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP) has already ordered to mobilize further extinguishing helicopters, so that a total of five helicopters are now in use. A fire guard is also set up at night to identify embers at an early stage and prevent the spread of the fire, as krone.at reported.

difficult challenges for the emergency services

Despite some slight relaxation of the situation in the early evening, the fire remains uncontrolled. The expected operation is expected to last until Sunday, March 9, 2025. According to estimates, the affected fire area extends over around five to ten hectares. The emergency services work intensively on the formation of riegel to prevent further spread. In the past there were serious forest fires in the region, such as a devastating in 2021, which mobilized 9,000 helpers and lasted until November 6th.

While the rescuers fight the flames in the Rax Mountains, reports on forest fires in other regions raise the alarm. Around 100 hectares burned in South Tyrol, which led to the evacuation of 59 people and the injury to 11 people. In the Mühlviertel in Upper Austria, the fire extended to an area of ​​150 square kilometers, with ten fire departments that were also in use. These far -reaching fires illustrate the alarming situation, which is favored by the climate changes and persistent drought.