On day seven of the forest fire in Wildalpen in Upper Styria, there is still no certainty. On the contrary: the wind ignited a hidden fire on Saturday. 80 volunteers and several fire-fighting aircraft are now working tirelessly again.
It started on Easter Monday: 300 firefighters had to respond to two forest fires in Wildalpen that were threatening to escalate. A tree falling on a power pole during the storm may have been the cause. “Today is day seven and the firefighting work is still ongoing,” says Hubert Failmayer from the Wildalpen volunteer fire brigade.
Hidden nest of embers
The hot and windy weather makes extinguishing the fire a gigantic task. Because gusts of wind have stirred up a hidden nest of embers. “The wind fanned the fire again on Saturday,” Failmayer explains. Since then, 80 men and women have been on site again to fight the forest fire. The Red Cross and mountain rescue also had to be deployed again. The latter helps when abseiling in extremely difficult-to-access terrain.
“The team must completely excavate the ground inch by inch, otherwise there will be no peace in Wildalpen. We hope that the announced wind will not blow as strongly as predicted,” said Bernd Fladischer, head of flight services. In total, approximately 100 hectares of forestland can be assumed to have been damaged by the fire; five hectares are currently acutely affected.
“Fire under control”
Three helicopters from the Ministry of the Interior are used as firefighting aircraft; they have been working since the early morning hours. Failmayer emphasizes: “The fire is under control, but it will take a long time before the fire goes out. Unfortunately there is no rain to be found.”
Source: Krone
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