Operations Continued into the Night

Firefighting Helicopter Over Vienna: Wildfire in Lobau

The BMI helicopter assisted with the challenging firefighting efforts.(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Major operation in Vienna’s Lobau! Due to the ongoing drought, a forest fire had escalated into a massive blaze. The firefighting helicopter was in operation throughout Tuesday afternoon. Police urged residents to stay indoors. By evening, the fire was under control. However, MA 49 warned that, given the dry conditions, the risk of wildfires is currently extremely high. 

According to initial estimates, approximately 18 hectares of forest were affected by the fire. According to a statement from the Vienna Fire Department and the Civil Protection Agency, no one was injured. The cause of the fire is unknown; an investigation is underway.

Firefighting Helicopter Deployed
The smoke was clearly visible for kilometers. A firefighting helicopter was also called in on Tuesday afternoon. The Federal Ministry of the Interior supported the firefighting efforts, and fire departments from Vienna and Lower Austria were on the scene. The Lower Austria Red Cross arrived on the scene and provided emergency responders with water, electrolytes, glucose, cold beverages, and food. 

Around 6:45 p.m., the fire was finally brought under control, though the danger had not yet been completely averted. According to a statement to the “Krone,” while the number of emergency responders could now be reduced, firefighting efforts were still ongoing. The affected section of the Lobau was cordoned off by the police.

Water was delivered to the fire scene using the so-called “Bambi Bucket.”(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Video footage shows the BMI helicopter drawing water from the nearby Mühlwasser—right in front of the swimmers seeking relief from the heat.  

Lobau Oil Terminal Not in Danger
A total of about nine fire departments were on the scene. As fire department spokesperson Lukas Schauer of the Vienna Professional Fire Department explained on Tuesday afternoon, the operation was “extremely challenging due to the high temperatures,” he told the “Krone”: “The wind is a major problem.” 

The operation in the Lobau was visible from afar, and the column of smoke caused concern among nearby residents.(Bild: Krone-Collage/Leserreporter Thomas Grunt)

However, the Lobau oil terminal was not in danger, officials said. Employees of the Vienna Forestry Office (MA 49) and the police were also on site; the operation was coordinated and is expected to continue into the night. 

Residents should stay indoors
In the meantime, witnesses contacted the “Krone,” reporting that the police had already notified residents to pack their essentials. Later, however, the all-clear was given: An evacuation was not necessary. People were simply asked to stay indoors. 

Appeal from the City of Vienna: “Observe the ban on barbecues and open fires”
The ongoing dry spell without sufficient rainfall has led to extreme drying out of the forests and meadows in Vienna. This poses a particularly high risk of vegetation catching fire.

For this reason, the City of Vienna’s Forestry and Agriculture Department is once again urgently appealing to the public to comply with the ban on barbecues and open fires and not to carelessly discard hazardous items such as cigarette butts or similar items. If a fire or smoke is noticed during a walk, please immediately alert the fire department by calling the emergency number 122.