Reforestation progresses in Rax region after major forest fire

Reforestation efforts following the major 2021 forest fire in Hirschwang, located in the Rax region, are showing successful progress. The fire, which broke out on October 25, 2021, spread across approximately 115 hectares of land owned by the City of Vienna. The area serves as a vital spring protection forest.

To increase climate resilience and biodiversity, officials are focusing on planting mixed forests and resilient species. While some trees initially appeared to recover, subsequent hot and dry summers caused the death of certain species, such as beech trees, which lack the thick bark found in the area's black pines.

Experts note that existing gaps in the forest canopy, previously created for natural regeneration, helped mitigate the fire's intensity. Although reforestation is underway, officials estimate it will take several decades for the forest to fully recover.