400 firefighters

Forest fire near Graz spreads rapidly

Several helicopters are currently on firefighting duty in the Mühlbachkogel area.(Bild: Bernhard Kren)

On Saturday, a forest fire broke out in Eisbach-Rein, north of Graz. Driven by the wind, the flames have since spread to cover 40 to 50 hectares. A large-scale operation involving around 400 emergency personnel and firefighting helicopters is underway. Emergency responders are urging the public to avoid the area.

Around noon on Saturday, a hiker in the Mühlbachkogel area (Graz-Umgebung district) raised the alarm after spotting a fire in the forest. Several fire departments arrived immediately. Due to extreme dry conditions and the wind, the fire spread rapidly—in rugged terrain where extinguishing efforts are almost exclusively possible from the air.

An eerie sight from a distance at six in the morning: The forest fire has spread significantly overnight.(Bild: zVg)

Fire Spread Enormously Overnight
While on Saturday evening the fire was still reported to cover about seven hectares, it spread overnight to as many as 50 hectares due to strong winds. “We currently have just under 400 firefighters and five helicopters on the scene,” Herbert Buchgraber, spokesperson for the Graz-Umgebung Regional Fire Department Association, told the “Krone” on Sunday morning. Firefighters from several districts arrived to provide support. 

Firefighting efforts in the steep and rugged terrain are extremely challenging.(Bild: FF Steinberg-Rohrbach/Raphael Pöllinger)

It is not yet possible to predict how the fire will develop. “The wind is the biggest problem; it is constantly fanning the flames and spreading the fire,” said Buchgraber. 

We cannot yet assess how the fire will develop. The biggest problem right now is the wind. 

Herbert Buchgraber, Bereichsfeuerwehrverband GU

Bild: BFV GU

“Walkers should avoid the area”
Meanwhile, the police are also investigating the cause of the fire. During their investigation, officers encountered several forestry workers in the vicinity of the fire. However, there were initially no indications of a specific cause. The police are urging the public to avoid the affected area around the Mühlbachkogel to a wide radius so as not to hinder emergency responders and to avoid putting themselves in danger.

Several helicopters are on firefighting duty in the Mühlbachkogel area.(Bild: Bernhard Kren)

Herbert Buchgraber also urges, “Walkers and onlookers must absolutely avoid the area. This is a matter of personal safety and of not hindering the emergency responders.” 

Disaster Management Officer Harald Eitner and Governor Kunasek (from left) on site.(Bild: Gerald Schwaiger)

“There certainly won’t be an ‘all clear’ today”
Meanwhile, Governor Mario Kunasek, together with Styrian Disaster Management Chief Harald Eitner, has also assessed the situation on site. “The situation is very difficult. We expect the fire to spread further because it remains dry and very windy. Additional emergency personnel are being called in continuously,” said the governor. 

According to Harald Eitner, seven helicopters and 450 emergency personnel were already battling the flames by noon. Ninety vehicles from 66 fire departments are on the scene. “There certainly won’t be a ‘fire out’ today, because new pockets of embers keep flaring up and the weather forecast isn’t favorable,” says Eitner.

Mayor Appeals: Do Not Fill Pools!
On Sunday, Doris Dirnberger, mayor of the affected municipality of Gratwein-Straßengel, also spoke out via Facebook.

She urges residents “not to fill pools so that the water supply remains secure.”