Eleven fire brigades contain forest fire near Linz

Eleven fire brigades were called to a forest fire in Altenberg bei Linz, in the Urfahr-Umgebung district, on Monday morning, ORF reported. The fire is believed to have started when an agricultural vehicle caught fire at about 11.20 a.m.

Flames from the vehicle then spread to the dry forest floor. A tall column of smoke was visible from parts of Linz, while a police helicopter helped assess the situation and coordinate the response.

According to the Upper Austrian State Fire Brigade Command, the fire was brought under control after about an hour. The highest alarm level, 3, was declared because water was difficult to obtain. Farmers from nearby areas helped by bringing additional water to the site in liquid manure tankers.

No one was injured. The agricultural vehicle was heavily damaged.