About 100 firefighters were deployed to a forest fire in Semriach (Graz district) on Friday, with another 100 on standby. They were supported by helicopters. The fire, which broke out on Thursday evening, affected an area of about two and a half hectares in difficult, steep terrain. Six people were slightly injured. The firefighting operations are expected to last longer, according to the fire department. The cause of the fire was initially unclear.
Forest Fire Near Graz Calls for Firefighters
27-12-2024, 15:39
Multiple fire departments have been battling a forest fire in Semriach near Graz since yesterday. Despite great efforts, the firefighting operations are expected to continue for several more days.
Difficult Battle Against Forest Fire Near Graz
A motorist driving on Semriacherstraße (L318) noticed the forest fire on Thursday evening around 9.00 pm and alerted the emergency services. In the early morning hours, 18 fire departments with more than 40 vehicles and two fire drones were deployed, and police, Red Cross, and mountain rescue were on site. Investigations into the cause of the fire were initiated and an investigator was called in. Around noon, about 100 emergency personnel were deployed, "another 100 are on standby," said Herbert Buchgraber from the Graz district fire department association on Friday to the APA.
Army Supports Firefighting Operations with Helicopter
"Fire out" could not be declared even on Friday afternoon, "but good progress is being made. Now firefighting operations can also take place from the air," said Buchgraber. After initially requesting helicopters from the Austrian army, these were on standby in the afternoon because three police helicopters were first deployed.
In the first two days, there were already six slightly injured emergency personnel: "Five were taken to the hospital with suspected smoke inhalation. They were treated on an outpatient basis," Buchgraber described in a conversation with the APA in the afternoon. Another emergency worker suffered a hand injury from falling rocks. District fire commander Gernot Rieger was on duty from the start and praised the work of the helpers. "The terrain where the fire broke out is quite steep and therefore puts a lot of strain on the emergency services," said Rieger.
The investigations into the cause of the fire were expected to start on Friday afternoon, according to the police.
(APA/Red)
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