Forest fire in Ramsau Mountains requires helicopter intervention

A significant forest fire broke out in the Ramsau Mountains near Bad Goisern, Austria, at an altitude of approximately 1,500 to 1,600 meters. The fire occurred in extremely steep and rocky terrain near the Zwölferkogel, making traditional access impossible for firefighting crews.

Emergency response efforts required the use of three helicopters from the Austrian Police and the Austrian Federal Army to transport personnel, equipment, and water to the site. Due to the steepness of the terrain, mountain rescue teams had to establish rope safety systems to allow firefighters to work. The operation was described as physically exhausting, as crews had to dig into the forest floor to extinguish embers that had burned deep into the ground.

Approximately 40 to 70 emergency responders, including fire departments from Bad Goisern, St. Agatha, and Scharnstein, along with mountain rescue and police, participated in the effort. The fire was brought under control by mid-afternoon, with final cooling measures involving water drops from helicopters continuing into the evening to prevent reignition.