Ground is dry

Forest fire caused large-scale deployment of 10 fire brigades

The hillside location of the woodland made the extinguishing work more difficult.(Bild: FF Hirschbach)

Alert level 2 in the Mühlviertel: On Friday afternoon, ten fire departments responded to a forest fire in Hirschbach im Mühlkreis. The hillside location and the dry conditions made the firefighting work difficult, but in the end it was even possible to save a forest dweller.

"It was already clear on the approach that a section of forest was affected. We immediately raised the alert level 2 so that supporting forces from the surrounding communities could arrive," says Stefan Tröbinger, commander of the Hirschbach im Mühlkreis fire department, describing the operation.

Ten fire departments arrived in Hirschbach.(Bild: FF Hirschbach)

On Friday afternoon, a fire broke out in a young forest on a slope in Hirschbach. It was a ground fire, and the long period without precipitation was probably a good breeding ground for the fire.

Briefing of the Florianis.(Bild: FF Hirschbach)

"Fire out" after two hours
The firefighters used a drone to get an overview of the fire area and were able to locate pockets of embers. "We managed to prevent the fire from spreading relatively quickly," Tröbinger continues. Even though the hillside location and the dry conditions made the extinguishing work somewhat more difficult, the fire was declared "out" around two hours after the alarm was raised.

Fortunately, no one was injured by the fire. The emergency services were even able to help an animal: "We were able to save a hedgehog," says Tröbinger. The prickly forest dweller was handed over to the animal rescue service.