Wildfires spread across Lobau and Föhrenwald in Austria

Extreme temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius triggered significant wildfires in Austria, specifically in the Lobau region near Vienna and the Föhrenwald between Wiener Neustadt and Neunkirchen.

The Lobau fire covered approximately 18 hectares and involved more than 300 emergency responders. Police helicopters were utilized to drop water, supported by specialized flight services that managed refueling and water replenishment on-site. The fire is believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

In the Föhrenwald area near St. Egyden, the blaze spread across roughly 100 hectares due to dry conditions and wind. Specialized firefighting units from the Tulln district coordinated helicopter operations from the police, the Austrian Armed Forces, and private providers. Ground crews used thermal imaging cameras and drones to locate hotspots, some of which required digging up to 50 centimeters into the ground to ensure they were completely extinguished.