New forest fire extends Lungau firefighting operation

Firefighters continued battling forest fires in Göriach on Friday after a blaze broke out in steep, difficult terrain the previous evening, ORF reported. Around 80 emergency responders had to walk to the site in Hintergöriach.

A second fire broke out near the original site early Friday. Because of the difficult terrain and embers found in the ground, the Göriach and Mariapfarr fire services were joined by the Tank Tamsweg unit.

The initial fire affected about 350 square metres of forest floor and several tree root stocks across two separate areas. Poor weather prevented a helicopter operation, so ground teams used water backpacks, digging tools and other wildfire equipment to fight the flames and prevent them from spreading.

Firefighters declared the fire out at about 10.30 p.m. on Thursday. A drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera then surveyed the affected area from the air, initially finding no further embers. The operation resumed on Friday.