Pine Forest in Flames

Pine Forest Ablaze: Huge Plume of Smoke Over Lower Austria

About 500 volunteers are fighting the wildfire in the Neunkirchen district.(Bild: Krone-Collage/APA/JÄGER, Feuerwehr Neunkirchen-Stadt)

Highest alert level in Lower Austria! An extremely thick and acrid cloud of smoke made the extent of a fire in the pine forest near St. Egyden am Steinfeld (Neunkirchen district) visible from far away on Wednesday afternoon. More than 50 volunteer fire departments were on the scene with over 500 responders; the Austrian Armed Forces also deployed. The fire was brought under control that same evening.

The forest and field fire broke out in the afternoon, triggering the highest alert level (B4); the district command center was established. Three helicopters from the Ministry of the Interior, two from the Austrian Armed Forces, one from Heli Austria, as well as the special forest fire and air service units were deployed.

At the Bad Fischau thermal spa, located just a few kilometers away, numerous visitors were horrified. “We didn’t know what was going on because we didn’t hear any sirens. Then word got around that it was the nearby Föhrenwald,” said a resident of Bad Fischau. Everyone was concerned and watched the cloud of smoke, whose stench had become increasingly noticeable.

Eventually, more and more fire department sirens began wailing in the districts of Neunkirchen and Wiener Neustadt. By around 7 p.m., more than 500 firefighters were already working to bring the fire under control across an area of over 100 hectares.

Residents and Drivers Warned
Residents were alerted via text message on their cell phones. Due to the very heavy smoke, motorists were asked to avoid this stretch of road. Emergency responders also prepared for a possible deployment. The Neunkirchen District Fire Department issued the following statement: “Please avoid the area so as not to hinder emergency responders.”

“Every drop counts”—urgent warning online(Bild: Marktgemeinde Bad Fischau Brunn)

Warnings Also on Facebook
Social media was flooded with posts featuring photos, videos, and appeals to stay safe. The column of smoke was visible as far as Mödling and Maria Enzersdorf, according to one driver. The market town of Bad Fischau-Brunn once again urged residents to conserve water, explaining: “Conserving water serves the sole purpose of ensuring there is enough water available for firefighting efforts in an emergency. Every drop counts when it comes to supporting the fire department as best as possible.”

“Attention: Water is urgently needed for firefighting efforts to combat the wildfire! Due to the ongoing wildfire, we ask that you reduce your water consumption,” the municipality of St. Egyden also stated.

Late Wednesday evening, with temperatures still high, the fire was finally brought under control. However, the Neunkirchen Fire Department reported that mop-up operations would be “extensive.”

Every spark can have devastating consequences right now.

Landeshauptfrau Johanna Mikl-Leitner mahnt zur Vorsicht.

Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER

“The numerous wildfires across the state—but especially the major fire in the Föhrenwald—forcefully remind us of how severe the current drought is and how high the risk of wildfires in Lower Austria currently is,” said Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner. The ÖVP politician and her party colleague, Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf, thanked the emergency responders and urged caution. “Every spark can have devastating consequences right now,” Mikl-Leitner warned. “Let’s work together to prevent further fires,” said Pernkopf.

15 Hectares of Vegetation Burning
Meanwhile, in the Gänserndorf district on Wednesday, a vegetation fire affected approximately 15 hectares. The fire, which occurred in the area around Neusiedl an der Zaya, Palterndorf-Dobermannsdorf, and Hausbrunn in the Weinviertel region, saw 15 fire departments deployed on Wednesday with approximately 30 vehicles and 130 personnel, as well as the district’s wildfire response team. Here, too, efforts were underway at full speed to prevent the flames from spreading further.