Alpine visitors help contain forest fire in Styria

A forest fire at the Schießlingalm alpine pasture in the municipality of Dörflach was contained after visitors and emergency crews intervened quickly on Friday, ORF reported. The fire had spread across about 300 square metres in a remote wooded area.

Emergency services were alerted shortly before 11 a.m. after smoke was spotted near the pasture. Several visitors and recreational athletes had already begun fighting the flames with handheld extinguishers when firefighters arrived. They helped the emergency crews while fire hoses were being prepared.

Two helicopters later joined the operation. The rapid response prevented the fire from spreading further and it was eventually extinguished.

About 75 emergency personnel took part in the operation. Two firefighters were injured, and one was taken to the LKH Hochsteiermark hospital in Leoben for further treatment. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.