Wildfire risk remains extremely high across Austria

Wildfire danger remains extremely high across Austria, with fires reported in several federal states on Wednesday, ORF reported. Austrian Federal Fire Brigade Association President Robert Mayer warned that the number of fires could continue to rise. More than 280 forest and vegetation fires have already been recorded this year, compared with 160 during all of 2025.

Mayer gave the figures at a press conference in Vienna. According to his data, about 1,700 forest fires were recorded between 1995 and 2010, while roughly 3,000 such incidents were registered from 2010 to 2025. Around 80 percent of forest and vegetation fires are caused by people, he said. Discarded cigarettes remain the most common cause.

Rapid alerts are crucial

Austria’s fire services are well equipped, Mayer said, pointing to strong wildfire units in Lower Austria, Styria and Salzburg. A nationwide unit is also expected to be established soon. The country’s dense network of fire stations enables a rapid response, but detecting fires quickly and raising the alarm without delay is particularly important.

Mayer also praised the support provided by specialised air units operated by the armed forces, the Interior Ministry and private providers. Because of Austria’s terrain, helicopters are generally better suited to firefighting operations than aircraft, he said.

Highest fire alert declared in Lower Austria

A major fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the Föhrenwald forest near St. Egyden in Lower Austria. Fire services declared the highest fire alert level, B4, during the afternoon. About 500 emergency personnel were deployed. Extreme heat and gusts of wind repeatedly fanned the flames.

In Holzschlag, in the Oberwart district of Burgenland, firefighters brought a field fire under control on Wednesday afternoon and prevented the flames from spreading to a forest.

In St. Florian in Upper Austria, dozens of emergency personnel extinguished a fire affecting dry grass and young vegetation. Seven fire brigades responded because of the risk of the flames spreading.