Fire service warns of continued high forest fire risk

Austria’s ongoing heatwave is drying out soil, meadows and forests, creating an acute risk of new forest fires, fire service spokesman Christian Feiler said in comments to ORF’s “Bei Uns” programme on “Wien heute”. He urged people to act cautiously in meadows and wooded areas.

Dry grass is also highly vulnerable, Feiler said. The lack of shade is causing vegetation to dry out quickly, meaning even a carelessly discarded cigarette could start a fire.

Fires are often discovered late

A large fire broke out in the Lobau woodland on August 4. Such operations are demanding for firefighters, Feiler said, because they must work in heavy protective equipment while dealing with the heat of the fire and summer temperatures. Cooling-off areas are often unavailable.

Crews are rotated continuously during forest fires, and firefighters need regular breaks to recover before returning to work with full concentration, Feiler said.

How quickly a fire spreads depends on factors including dryness, wind speed and ground conditions. But Feiler said delayed detection was often the bigger problem. By the time a fire is noticed from a distance, it may already be large enough to develop its own momentum.

Warning against barbecues and discarded cigarettes

Ground fires are particularly common in Vienna’s natural areas. Firefighters must work carefully and sometimes loosen the ground to prevent flames from continuing to spread beneath moss. At the other extreme are crown fires, which jump from tree crown to tree crown and can overtake crews on the ground. In such cases, firefighters may need to use other tactics, including cutting firebreaks.

People cause 80 to 90 percent of forest fires, according to Feiler. He said he had recently seen someone throw a cigarette from a moving vehicle, calling the act particularly disrespectful in the current temperatures.

Feiler also advised drivers not to park vehicles with hot exhaust systems in tall, dry grass. People living near forests should avoid charcoal barbecues that can send sparks into the surroundings and instead use electric grills or choose a cold meal such as pasta salad, he said.