Wildfire response and equipment upgrades in Austria

Austria is experiencing an increase in wildfire activity, necessitating enhanced firefighting capabilities and military support. In Tirol, the number of wildfires has reached 52 this year, significantly exceeding the historical annual range of 19 to 33 fires. To address the challenges of alpine topography, the state is investing 100,000 euros in new equipment, including a large-capacity firefighting container and a “Pumpkin Tank” filling basin to improve helicopter-based operations.

On a national level, the Austrian Armed Forces have significantly increased their involvement in forest fire suppression. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner reported that military helicopters have been deployed 17 times this year, compared to only one deployment in 2025. These aircraft have completed nearly 340 flight hours, delivering over three million liters of water to inaccessible areas. To bolster future response efforts, the military is modernizing its fleet, with plans to equip new Embraer C-390 transport aircraft with firefighting modules capable of carrying 11,000 liters of extinguishing agent by 2028.