Four helicopters in action

Smoke over Innsbruck: forest fire on the Nordkette mountain range

Five helicopters were deployed to deal with the fire.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

A forest fire broke out on Innsbruck's Nordkette mountain range early on Saturday afternoon and the resulting cloud of smoke was visible for miles around. Around 150 firefighters from Innsbruck and the surrounding area, several helicopters and the mountain rescue service were deployed. The fire was monitored overnight and extinguishing work continued on Sunday.

Around eight hectares of forest east of the Höttinger Alm, which lies at around 1500 meters, are affected. The first report of the forest fire reached the Tyrol control center at 12.51 pm on Saturday. Originally, there had been talk of 20 by 20 square meters. At around 3.30 pm, the police told the "Krone" newspaper: "The fire is still spreading, it is not yet under control."

150 firefighters on site
The Innsbruck professional fire department and several volunteer fire departments from the city area and Innsbruck-Land were deployed, the police told the "Krone" that around 150 people were involved. The mountain rescue service was also deployed to provide support.

Four helicopters on site
A total of four helicopters extinguished the fire from the air. Shortly before nightfall, the fire was "under control and contained", but "fire out" could not yet be given for the time being. The extinguishing work will continue on Sunday morning and the situation will be monitored until then.

Police are looking for witnesses
No one was injured and there was no risk to the infrastructure. The cause of the fire was initially unclear. In the "Tobl" ski run area to the east of the Höttinger Alm, witnesses apparently saw several people handling pyrotechnic objects. "Whether there is a connection with the outbreak of the fire cannot be confirmed at present," said the police.

The public is asked to avoid the scene of the fire and the scene of the incident and not to obstruct the emergency services.

Die Polizei in einer Aussendung

Anyone who can provide relevant information is asked to contact the airport police station on 059133/7581 or any other police station.

Urgent appeal from the police
On Sunday, a ban on entering and staying in the areas north of the Planötzenhof, north of the Gramartboden, north of the Rastlboden and the direct area of the Gramartboden will be issued. "The public is asked to avoid the scene of the fire and the scene of the operation and not to obstruct the emergency services," the police asked.

Over 100 reports to the control center
The cloud of smoke grew steadily and was visible from afar, which is why numerous concerned citizens called the control center in the first hour after the fire broke out. "We received over 100 reports and we are still receiving more," said the Tyrol control center at around 2 pm.